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


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.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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.
-
5 inexcusably hilarious cartoons about Ghislaine Maxwell angling for a pardon
Cartoons Artists take on the circle of life, Ghislaine's Island, and more
-
Ozzy Osbourne obituary: heavy metal wildman and lovable reality TV dad
In the Spotlight For Osbourne, metal was 'not the music of hell but rather the music of Earth, not a fantasy but a survival guide'
-
Crossword: August 2, 2025
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
-
Trump revives K-12 Presidential Fitness Test
Speed Read The Obama administration phased the test out in 2012, replacing it with a program focused on overall health rather than standardized benchmarks
-
El Salvador scraps term limits, boosting Nayib Bukele
Speed Read New constitutional changes will allow presidents to seek reelection an indefinite number of times
-
Trump assigns tariffs, delays all except on Canada
Speed Read A 35% tariff on many Canadian goods has gone into effect
-
Harris rules out run for California governor
Speed Read The 2024 Democratic presidential nominee ended months of speculation about her plans for the contest
-
Trump sets new tariff rates as deadline nears
Speed Read New tariff rates for South Korea, Brazil and India announced
-
Ghislaine Maxwell: angling for a Trump pardon
Talking Point Convicted sex trafficker's testimony could shed new light on president's links to Jeffrey Epstein
-
Senate confirms Trump loyalist Bove to top court
Speed Read The president's former criminal defense lawyer was narrowly approved to earn a lifetime seat
-
Ghislaine Maxwell offers testimony for immunity
Speed Read The convicted sex trafficker offered to testify to Congress about her relationship with late boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein