Expert says chance of Trump-Kim meeting is 'slim to none'

A leading expert has stated on Tuesday that the prospects of a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are minimal, emphasizing that the possibility hinges on the extent to which the U.S. lowers its demands or if Trump is prepared to make compromises. Bruce Klingner, a senior fellow at the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation, made these remarks during a Washington forum, amid talks of Trump potentially scheduling a summit with Kim during his upcoming visit to Asia, most likely to attend a regional forum in Shenzhen, China in November.

Klingner expressed that while a meeting is conceivable, it remains unlikely, contingent on factors such as how much the U.S. eases its demands or Trump's willingness to offer concessions. He noted that North Korea currently finds itself in a stronger position than it has been in recent times, owing to its robust relations with Russia and China, as well as significant financial assistance from the former and improved trade ties with the latter.

The expert pointed out that Pyongyang no longer perceives a pressing need for engagement with the U.S., given its substantial financial support and resources. Klingner also criticized Trump's decision to reduce South Korea-U.S. military exercises, labeling it as a "trifecta of failure" that undermines allied deterrence, punishes an ally, and appeases another dictator.

He suggested that North Korea might demand more concessions from the U.S. if it views Trump's withdrawal of these exercises as insufficient. Lastly, Klingner highlighted that while trilateral cooperation between South Korea, Japan, and the U.S. has been relatively stable, Trump's inconsistent approach towards alliances poses the greatest threat to these relationships, emphasizing that the United States' transactional and short-term perspective on alliances contrasts with the enduring consensus among past administrations on the strategic importance of maintaining strong alliances.