One only needs to read Donald Trump’s book, “The Art of the Deal,” to see what happened this week in Vietnam. The North Korean Summit in Hanoi was merely the latest step Donald Trump has made to meet hostile leaders face to face and one on one to settle differences.
North Korean Summit Nothing Burger
For now, it’s a nothing burger with North Korea’s dictator Kim Jong Un. Trump’s unprecedented diplomatic gesture to the strongman ended without a signing ceremony. Kim will now go back to his impoverished land knowing full well that Donald Trump will continue the harsh economic sanctions and leave him to stew for a bit.
It is neither a loss nor a win for the president. This is a stalemate for now, but the U.S. has all the cards. If Kim cannot reach some sort of an agreement, it could make for big trouble with his disgruntled nation that is literally starving to death.
Glorious Triumph Was Not to Be
There could have been a glorious triumph where both sides came to an agreement on dismantling North Korea’s nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions. That was not to be. Kim could have put something on the table including all their nuclear assets and that didn’t happen.
Since none of that happened, they could have agreed to keep talking. Apparently, that did not happen, or at least the general public is not aware of that. Trump didn’t even offer a tiny concession to keep Kim talking. He simply up and left for Washington. The North Korean Summit was over.
Kim Jong Un Got Bad Advice
It appears Kim and his advisors tried to play Donald Trump. It didn’t work. It isn’t good for Trump, but it is worse for Kim and his country.
Trump will not budge unless Kim agrees to substantive progress in denuclearizing. Perhaps the North Korean negotiators thought they could get around this sticking point, but they chose the wrong president to do it with. Donald Trump likes a serious negotiation, or he walks.
Both sides have now gone home. What will happen next? Don’t count on the North Koreans ranting and threatening now that this negotiation has stalled. It is not in their best interests at this delicate stage. It would actually make the U.S. look wise for not trusting Kim’s professions of good intentions and improved behavior.
Trump No Pushover
The world and America’s enemies that include the Taliban and the Iranians are watching this president closely. Trump is no pushover and he means what he says. He is not afraid to back away from a deal and shows no interest in conceding for concession’s sake.
The message has been sent. The mainstream media most likely will miss it, but then their lead story is about a disbarred lawyer who is a perjurer.
There may not be another US – North Korean Summit unless Kim gets better advice or Trump tries again. One thing is for sure – if democrats gain control, things will go back to the old normal.
