North Korea summit to test art of the deal

Almost everything’s still up in the air, but in spite of it all, the planned summit between President Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un is worth the risk.

So far, only the intention has been set. There’s no date.

And though Vladimir Putin has already volunteered Moscow, there’s no location either.

And if the critics are to be believed, there’s not enough preparation — specifically, because Trump himself can’t possibly be adequately briefed for the highstakes encounter.

For decades on end, negotiations with Pyongyang have been conducted by trained professionals, not presidents flying solo.

Trump, being the least politically experienced president in modern times, has his work cut out for him.

These factors contribute to substantial risk.

Even if the event takes place without a hitch and Trump handles himself well, there are additional perils.

Trump might commit to a deal that throws powerful United States or global interests into fits.

Or, he might play hardball and force an end to talks, causing some more hawkish constituencies to push for military action as a “last resort.”

Another, less sensational risk — nonetheless concerning — is that Trump could simply follow the pattern of all previous negotiations with North Korea, creating an illusion of progress that ultimately fails to stop Pyongyang from advancing its nuclear program in a belligerent way.

And again, the combined risks are outweighed by the potential advantages.

First, despite the uncertainty surrounding the meeting itself, its likelihood has already touched off a series of diplomatic moves in the region. North and South Korea are heightening preparatory talks.

And Kim Jong Un just made a quick and crucial trip to Beijing to placate the Chinese, who want the North to remain a thorn in America’s side.

These side talks strongly suggest that Trump’s summit plan has given the U.S. and South Korea the initiative while making the strategic situation more complicated for China.

Second, while some feel dismay at the thought of Trump bluffing or blustering his way through such a momentous occasion, Americans should remember that our government stays busy behind the scenes, and much of what may be formally announced during or after the summit could already have been locked into place in secret beforehand.

What’s more, although a president’s words and conduct always matter, it is Congress that approves treaties, and Trump is aware of the loss of personal prestige that would follow a serious misstep.

Finally, the hawks have a point when they suggest diplomacy is little more than useless if the summit happens and fails to produce any positive results.

But in a sense, they’re arguing against themselves by taking this stance.

Even a very modest agreement would be interpreted as a big win by sensible Americans who’d like to avoid war with the North, including those who would avoid it at all costs.

Only a complete breakdown would encourage the pro-war side.

War with North Korea would be horrific and brutal. But capitulation to a truculent, missile-launching Pyongyang isn’t acceptable either.

Then-President Obama warned Trump this would be his greatest challenge.

Crisis points like these are what presidential summits are for.

— The Orange County Register, Digital First Media

Trump, being the least politically experienced president in modern times, has his work cut out for him. But the combined risks are outweighed by the potential advantages.