President Trump abruptly canceled the scheduled meeting with Kim Jon Un, leader of North Korea, citing “tremendous anger and open hostility” being displayed by Kim in recent statements.
Trump wrote a letter to Kim, telling of the decision to end negotiations describing it as a “truly sad moment in history.” Trump, in a later statement, said “This is a tremendous setback for North Korea, and indeed a setback for the world. If and when Kim Jong Un chooses to engage in constructive dialogue and actions, I am waiting.”
Kim has responded, “We reiterate to the US that we are willing to sit face to face at any time and in any way.” The cancellation show “how grave the status of historically deep-rooted hostile North Korea-U.S. relations is and how urgently a summit should be realized to improve ties.”
Trump has said that the summit may still happen at the date planned or at another date.
Trump warned earlier this week that the summit might not take place.
Editor’s note: PunchingBagPost.com estimated weeks ago that the summit had only a 50-50 chance of working. But in my opinion this is a master stroke by Trump, canceling the meeting before Kim Jung Un has a chance to cancel it himself. This puts a lid on the North Korean increastingly hostile rhetoric.
Or it could be that he and Kim have already planned this, the ratcheting of tension, the cancellation, and, of course, next week the triumphant, reluctant return to the negotiating table. Either way, this is good theater, and Trump is on his way to a Nobel prize. This could possibly still blow up and we would have nothing. but I think this is on its way to a victory. Now I give it 70-30.