Why Donald Trump’s failure to reach deal with North Korea in Vietnam could be a win for China
- Unsuccessful conclusion to summit between US president and Kim Jong-un could strengthen Beijing’s hand as both sides will want its help
Beijing stands to gain from the abrupt end to the second summit between North Korea and the United States, according to Chinese analysts.
They believe that the no-deal summit is actually in China’s interest, and that Beijing’s influence is set to increase as both Washington and Pyongyang will want to work more closely with China to extract a future agreement over denuclearisation, sanctions relief and regional stability.
On Thursday, US President Donald Trump admitted his two-day summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had failed to reach a much-anticipated deal because of Pyongyang’s demands that economic sanctions be lifted.
Just hours after the Hanoi meeting ended, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met North Korean deputy foreign minister Ri Kil-song in Beijing and promised that China would continue to play a “constructive role” in promoting a deal between the US and North Korea.
“The international community is deeply concerned about the Hanoi summit between the leaders of North Korea and the US,” Xinhua news agency quoted Wang as saying.
He said that the talks had entered “deep waters” and that it was not possible to avoid difficulties.