Kim Jong-un has a chance to build a bridge with the U.S. in summit with President Trump
Well, today is the day.
The long-anticipated meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong-un is to begin today in Singapore.
Actually, the meeting was scheduled to start Monday night our time-this morning in Singapore-and probably continue through the hours when most in Texarkana are sleeping. But today we should learn what happened.
President Trump arrived Sunday evening in Singapore, coming directly from the G7 summit in Canada-where things did not go all that smoothly. Kim Jong-un arrived earlier Sunday and met with Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. President Trump will have met with the prime minster Monday.
And now to the main event.
It almost didn't happen. After the summit was set up, President Trump abruptly canceled it just a few weeks ago. But after meeting with a Kim Jong-un representative at the White House, the president said the meeting was back on. Some speculated the cancellation was a negotiating tactic to put North Korea at a disadvantage in the talks. Today we will find out if it worked.
The New York Times reported Sunday that Chinese leaders are bit apprehensive about the meeting. That's because, although they have a lot of influence over North Korea and Kim Jong-un, they also know he's unpredictable. There is no telling what he might say or do.
They are also worried that the North Korean strongman might see an opportunity to play the U.S. and China against each other for his own benefit.
President Trump said of Kim Jong-un Sunday, "He's got an opportunity, the likes of which I think almost-if you look into history-very few people have ever had. He can take that nation, with those great people, and truly make it great. So, it's a one-time-it's a one-time shot. And I think it's going to work out very well."
We hope the president is right and it does work out very well. And we think Kim Jong-un should take those words to heart. It's a one-time shot. Make the most of it.