Nice post-truth politics. No one seems to be ready to negotiate with Kim at the White House. They don’t understand why he wants to meet and what he wants to negotiate.
Whatever the outcome, Kim seems to be on the winning side.
- he proposed peace
- he proposed talks
- he proposed nuclear disarmament
What is Trump’s position?
- he needs to show to the world that he’s a deal-maker (concessions are welcomed)
- he needs to prove that he cares for peace amid growing US violence (2nd term re-election)
- probably his only concern is that Kim’s rocket can reach US soil.
What does Kim really want? A wild brain-storming – feel free to add:
- removal of imminent elimination threat by US special forces
- removal of sanctions (notably allowing oil supply from China)
- removal of US military bases from the Korean peninsula
- economical support from the South Korea
My guess is that by pushing US out of the Asia Pacific, Kim will take on a greater regional leader’s role. The same strategy is being developed by Iran through Syria now.
US is clearly going to concede. Trump’s populism and re-election are two aces to be played by Kim to get what he wants.