Why Kim and Trump should meet

Since U.S. President Donald Trump's return to the White House, there has been much speculation about a potential meeting between him and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. While much of this speculation has been driven by the desire to rekindle nuclear talks rather than any concrete evidence of an imminent meeting, there are reasons why Kim should consider engaging with Trump.

From Pyongyang's perspective, time may be working in its favor. Since the pandemic, North Korea has shown a growing confidence in its ability to navigate the international environment without direct involvement from the United States. The regime's self-imposed border closures proved that it could survive, at least temporarily, under the most stringent sanctions.

Furthermore, the outbreak of Russia's war against Ukraine has opened up unprecedented opportunities for Pyongyang to generate revenue, acquire advanced technology, and weaken the broader sanctions regime.

Geopolitical shifts have also moved in North Korea's favor. With the United States and China moving from a state of competition across multiple issues to a rivalry, Beijing and Pyongyang may find themselves on opposing sides. This shift could create a strategic opening for Kim to reach out to Trump, who is less constrained by the domestic political considerations that might limit his predecessor's willingness to engage in diplomatic overtures with Pyongyang.