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Donald Trump says US has had ‘extremely high-level’ talks with North Korea, praises Chinese diplomacy

Trump boasted of the contacts and took credit for both the Olympics and meetings between South and North Korea during a visit by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

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US President Donald Trump hosts a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
Associated PressandRobert Delaney

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that his administration has conducted direct talks with North Korea at “extremely high levels” and praised China for helping to put pressure on Pyongyang.

“There’s a great chance to solve a world problem,” Trump said. “This is not a problem for the United States. This is not a problem for Japan or any other country. This is a problem for the world.”

In his remarks, made during a two-day meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, the president said that the two sides are considering five locations for a meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, none of which are in the US.

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Trump also said Chinese President Xi Jinping had “been incredibly generous” in helping enforce United Nations sanctions on North Korea.

“They’ve never been this way with the United States,” he said. “They have more respect for us and our leadership. President Xi has been very strong on the [North Korean] border, much stronger than anyone thought they would be.”

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (centre), and wife Ri Sol-ju (left), watch the ballet choreodrama ‘Red Women Company’ performed by a Chinese art troupe at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Monday. Photo: KCNA via EPA-EFE
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (centre), and wife Ri Sol-ju (left), watch the ballet choreodrama ‘Red Women Company’ performed by a Chinese art troupe at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Monday. Photo: KCNA via EPA-EFE
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