Trump-Kim meeting marginalizes China

• Talks between the U.S. and North Korea marginalize China
• The North Korea-China relationship has been deteriorating for many years
• China has a contradictory policy on Pyongyang’s nuclear program
• Beijing will remain out of the loop as long as it maintains this policy

There may appear to have been a profound breakthrough in the North Korean nuclear crisis, now that United States President Donald Trump has accepted an invitation from Kim Jong-un to meet in May. For those familiar with the backstory, though, it is easy to see what the North Korean regime wants to achieve with its nuclear program: Mr. Kim wants to meet the American president as an equal. With its nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missile programs moving forward, North Korea believes it is now in a position to elevate its status in the world, starting with a conversation with the U.S. In exchange, it is seemingly willing to discuss denuclearization.