Trump and Kim Jong Un abruptly cut short Hanoi summit with no agreement

(Image credit: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)

published 28 February 2019

President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un abruptly ended their second summit early on Thursday and canceled a scheduled lunch and signing ceremony. Trump and Kim "had very good and constructive meetings" in Hanoi, the White House said in a statement. "No agreement was reached at this time, but their respective teams look forward to meeting in the future." While reporters were waiting for Kim and Trump to show up for lunch after a round of talks that included advisers, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump was heading back to his hotel and would give a news conference two hours earlier than expected, at 2 a.m. EST.

The summit had been cordial and even friendly before its abrupt end. About an hour earlier, Trump had sounded cautiously optimistic, saying "we'll ultimately have a deal," but that "doesn't mean we're doing it in one day, in one meeting." He added there's no "rush" for North Korea to denuclearize, though "I appreciate no testing." In what's believed to be a first, Kim took questions from foreign reporters, saying through a translator that "it's too early to say" whether there will be a deal but "I would not say I’m pessimistic." Asked about denuclearization, Kim said, "If I'm not willing to do that ... I won't be here right now." "That might be the best answer you’ve ever heard," Trump said. But Trump also answered a question directed at Kim about human rights in North Korea. "We're discussing everything," Trump said.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.