Trump strikes optimistic note ahead of meeting with North Korea’s Kim

President Trump on Sunday expressed optimism ahead of his summit this week with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, even as experts have cast uncertainty on how productive the meeting will be.

Trump in a series of tweets raised the possibility he and Kim could come to an agreement on denuclearization and asserted North Korea would become an economic stalwart if it abandoned its nuclear arsenal.

The president will depart on Monday for the meetings in Hanoi, Vietnam, where he said he and Kim “both expect a continuation of the progress made at first Summit in Singapore.”

“Denuclearization?” he asked.

Very productive talks yesterday with China on Trade. Will continue today! I will be leaving for Hanoi, Vietnam, early tomorrow for a Summit with Kim Jong Un of North Korea, where we both expect a continuation of the progress made at first Summit in Singapore. Denuclearization?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2019

{mosads}Trump in a separate tweet said that Kim “realizes, perhaps better than anyone else, that without nuclear weapons, his country could fast become one of the great economic powers anywhere in the World.”

“Because of its location and people (and him), it has more potential for rapid growth than any other nation!” the president added.

Chairman Kim realizes, perhaps better than anyone else, that without nuclear weapons, his country could fast become one of the great economic powers anywhere in the World. Because of its location and people (and him), it has more potential for rapid growth than any other nation!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2019

The president also praised China for helping the push for denuclearization, saying “the last thing” Beijing wants is to have “large scale nuclear weapons right next door.” 

President Xi of China has been very helpful in his support of my meeting with Kim Jong Un. The last thing China wants are large scale nuclear weapons right next door. Sanctions placed on the border by China and Russia have been very helpful. Great relationship with Chairman Kim!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2019 

The president first met with Kim last June in Singapore. While Trump hailed the event as an unmitigated success and declared North Korea was no longer a nuclear threat, critics noted that the summit produced no concrete commitments or timelines for Pyongyang to dismantle its nuclear arsenal. 

It’s unclear what specifics might come from this week’s meeting, as senior administration officials provided few answers during a call with reporters on what to expect.

The officials did indicate a priority for the summit is reaching an agreed definition of denuclearization, something that negotiators have yet to establish.