Key facts
- China is unlikely to mediate a potential Trump-Kim summit, according to U.S. experts.
- Experts believe Beijing would avoid significant political risk in arranging such a meeting.
- North Korea may be using its relationship with China and Russia to gain leverage.
- Kim Jong-un's recent visit to Dandong aimed to show his ability to maintain ties with China and Russia.
China is unlikely to play a significant role in mediating a potential summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, U.S. experts assessed on Tuesday. Sydney Seiler, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), argued that neither Pyongyang nor other key players feel an urgent need for renewed U.S.-North Korea talks. He expressed skepticism that Beijing would undertake substantial diplomatic efforts, suggesting that China's leader Xi Jinping would avoid significant political risk. Victor Cha, Korea Chair at CSIS, echoed this view, stating that China is "really not interested in doing any of the heavy lifting." Seiler predicted that without substantive agreements, the relationship between Trump and Kim could deteriorate again within six to 12 months, as it did following their previous summit diplomacy. He also noted that Kim's recent visit to Dandong, China, likely aimed to demonstrate his ability to maintain close relations with both China and Russia.