Trump ready for summit but will exert ‘pressure’ if cancelled

WASHINGTON: The US on Wednesday said it was not surprised by North Korea’s new conditions for talks but reiterated that President Donald Trump is ready to meet Kim Jong Un for their scheduled summit on June 12.

“The president is ready if the meeting takes place. And if it doesn’t, we will continue the maximum pressure campaign that’s been ongoing,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said, referring to the sanctions that the US believes forced North Korea to call for talks.

The White House also sought to address a concern raised by the North Koreans with regards to the Libyan model of denuclearisation as indicated by national security adviser John Bolton. When asked about the Libyan model, she said: “I haven’t seen that as part of any discussions so I’m not aware that that’s a model that we’re using.” The White House said the administration “fully expected” these demands.

However, the timing of the salvo from Pyongyang seemed to catch the US off guard. State department spokesperson Heather Nauert was barely able to conceal her surprise, given that Kim had “previously said he understands the need and the utility of the US and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) continuing in its joint exercises”.

Experts said the demands were standard operating procedure for Pyongyang. “The demands by North Korea in advance of the summit with the US are unsurprising,” said Anish Goel, an Asia expert with think tank New America.