Trump Courts North Korea’s Leader, but Might Need China to Reignite the Flame

President Trump has gotten no love back yet from Kim Jong-un, according to a report published Thursday, as the U.S. leader seeks to restart diplomacy with North Korea. With Kim remaining unresponsive, Trump could turn to Chinese President Xi Jinping to help set up a summit when Xi visits Washington next week, the report said.

The report, based on the president’s recent overtures, suggests that despite repeated efforts, the North Korean leader has not reciprocated. This has led Trump to consider leveraging China’s influence over its neighbor and ally, North Korea, to facilitate a meeting.

Xi’s visit to Washington, scheduled for next week, presents an opportunity for Trump to request China’s help in bringing Kim back to the negotiating table. China has historically played a mediating role in U.S.-North Korea relations, though its leverage over Pyongyang has limits.

No further details about the nature of Trump’s outreach or the specific timing of any potential summit were provided in the report. It remains unclear whether Xi will agree to act as an intermediary or what incentives might be offered to secure Chinese cooperation.

The development comes amid ongoing tensions on the Korean Peninsula and after years of on-again, off-again diplomacy between the United States and North Korea. Trump’s previous summits with Kim in Singapore and Hanoi produced no lasting agreement on denuclearization.

Analysis

Why it matters

A potential U.S.-North Korea summit could reshape regional security dynamics and affect the Korean Peninsula’s nuclear standoff.
China’s role as a mediator could strengthen its influence in the region, altering the balance of power between Washington, Beijing, and Pyongyang.
The outcome may signal whether the U.S. can achieve diplomatic progress with North Korea through third-party involvement, with implications for future foreign policy.

Background

North Korea has been a long-standing challenge for U.S. diplomacy, with past negotiations often stalling over denuclearization demands and sanctions relief. China, as North Korea’s main ally and trade partner, has frequently been called upon to pressure or facilitate dialogue. President Trump’s previous summits with Kim in 2018-2019, held in Singapore and Hanoi, failed to yield a comprehensive deal, and diplomatic momentum faded. Xi Jinping’s visit to Washington offers a potential venue for informal talks, but China’s willingness to intervene may depend on its own strategic interests, including maintaining stability on its border and countering U.S. influence.

Key perspectives

The White House: President Trump likely sees Xi’s visit as a chance to re-engage Kim and achieve a legacy-making diplomatic breakthrough, potentially using U.S. concessions as leverage.
China: Beijing may be reluctant to act as a broker without clear benefits, such as sanctions relief or U.S. concessions in other areas, and could prefer to avoid entanglements in U.S.-North Korea disputes.
Critics: Skeptics may argue that relying on China to broker a summit is unlikely to yield substantive results, given North Korea’s history of using talks for concessions without giving up its nuclear program. They may also caution that giving Kim international legitimacy without verifiable progress could undermine nonproliferation efforts.

What to watch

Whether Xi publicly raises North Korea during his Washington visit and signals willingness to help arrange a summit.
Any public statement from Pyongyang indicating openness to talks, which could be triggered by Chinese outreach.
The timing and agenda of any potential Trump-Kim meeting—whether it occurs before the end of the year and what preconditions are set.

Analysis

Why it matters

Background

Key perspectives

What to watch

Sources