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US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he may choose to leave the meeting with Kim Jong Un, leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), if it falls short of his expectations.
"If we don't think it's going to be successful, we won't have it," Trump said at a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
"If the meeting when I'm there isn't fruitful, I will respectfully leave the meeting." "I like always remaining flexible – we'll remain flexible here," Trump added.
But Trump still maintained optimistic about talks with Kim, saying "We've never been in a position like this with that regime, whether it's father, grandfather or son."
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greet Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie Abe ahead of a dinner at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, April 18, 2018.
He also voiced hope that the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the DPRK can pave the way to a lasting peace at a series of upcoming summits.
"We hope to see the day when the whole Korean Peninsula can live together in safety, prosperity and peace," noted the president.
"As I've said before, there is a bright path available to North Korea (DPRK) when it achieves denuclearization in a complete and verifiable and irreversible way," Trump said, adding that "We hope it all works out. We'll be trying very hard."
Trump and Kim have not yet spoken directly, the White House said, but the president revealed Tuesday that there had been contact at "very high levels" to prepare for the historic meeting – an apparent reference to Pompeo's visit.
Japanese held in DPRK
Trump said he would work to help Tokyo bring home from the DPRK Japanese citizens who were abducted in the 1970s and 1980s to help Pyongyang train its spies.
US President Donald Trump (R) speaks as he hosts a joint press conference with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, US, April 18, 2018.
"We will work very hard on that issue and we will work hard to try and bring those folks back – very, very hard." The issue sours already strained relations between Japan and the DPRK, and Abe often wears a blue ribbon to remind himself of their abduction.
As he headed to the US earlier this week, the Japanese premier said the abduction issue would be high on his agenda – and at Wednesday's press conference, he thanked Trump profusely for his support on the matter. In 2002, the DPRK admitted to the kidnapping of 13 Japanese civilians, dating back to the 1970s, but Tokyo believes the true number to be higher.
US-Japan trade
Trump and Abe said they agreed to intensify trade consultations between the two longtime allies, with an aim to expand investment and trade between both countries.
"President Trump and I agreed to start talks for free, fair and reciprocal trade deals," Abe said at a joint news conference with Trump.
Trump reaffirmed his desire at the news conference to address trade imbalances with Japan, saying he preferred one-on-one talks to negotiate a bilateral deal aimed at trimming the US trade deficit.
While the leaders said they had agreed to have top advisers pursue talks, Abe made clear that differences remained in each country's approach.
"On the US side, they are interested in a bilateral deal," Abe told reporters. "Our country's position is that TPP is the best for both of our countries," he added, referring to the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
The TPP was sought by former Democratic President Barack Obama. Trump abandoned it during his first weeks in office, saying it is not a good deal for the US.
(AFP&REUTERS)
