The Guardian view on the North Korea summit: a crisis foretold | Editorial
The commemorative summit coin has just been minted, but the peace efforts are already spent. Donald Trump's decision to call off a June meeting with Kim Jong-un appears as hastily made and ill-considered as his decision to hold it. Predictably, it seems to have come without warning to - never mind consultation with - US ally South Korea, which had brought the parties together. Seasoned North Korea-watchers had warned the meeting might never happen, since the chasm between the sides, particularly over what denuclearisation means, was too vast to cross quickly or easily. The US's lack of preparation, coordination or clarity on goals and how to approach them made prospects of progress still poorer.
In contrast, Mr Trump seemed to believe the Nobel peace prize was one cosy chat away. Asked whether he deserved it, he modestly replied that "everyone thinks so, but I would never say it," adding that he was focusing on getting talks "finished". Well, they are finished now. The cancellation may have been partially pre-emptive, since the administration says North Korea had not responded to logistical queries in recent days. Mr Trump held the North responsible, thanks to the "tremendous anger and open hostility" in a statement that said it was down to the US whether the countries met in a meeting room or at a "nuclear-to-nuclear showdown" and attacked Mike Pence, the vice-president. There are already attempts to blame China, suggesting Xi Jinping has encouraged Mr Kim to take a harsher stance. But in truth responsibility lies with Mr Trump and those around him. North Korea is a loathsome regime, but it has been consistent. Not so the US.
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