Trump says he’s in no rush on denuclearization – live updates

FAN Editor

President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are meeting for the second day in Hanoi at the Metropole hotel, as both men emphasize patience in the denuclearization process.

Both expressed cautious optimism for reaching an agreement, and for denuclearization in general.

“I’ve been saying very much from the beginning that speed is not that important to me,” the president said as he sat down with Kim. “I very much appreciate no testing of nuclear rockets, missiles, any of it. Very much appreciate it.”

Trump and Kim take a walk

Mr. Trump and Kim took a walk outside for a photo opportunity, with Mr. Trump briefly saying hello to the cameras.

They are now heading into an expanded bilateral meeting, with more representatives from both sides present.

Other U.S. representatives spotted outside included Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, national security adviser John Bolton and White House press secretary Sarah Sanders.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump walk in the garden of the Metropole hotel during the second North Korea-U.S. summit in Hanoi, Vietnam
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump walk in the garden of the Metropole hotel during the second North Korea-U.S. summit in Hanoi, Vietnam February 28, 2019. Leah Millis / REUTERS

Dennis Rodman wishes Trump luck in summit

Former NBA star Dennis Rodman, who has made trips to North Korea, tweeted out a statement wishing Mr. Trump luck in negotiations.

Rodman said his friendship with Kim “remains strong,” and, “You are on the cusp of a big, beautiful deal.”

Trump, Kim meet behind closed doors

The two men are behind closed doors for their first meeting of the day.

Kim says he’s not pessimistic about deal with Trump

Kim, asked if he’s confident he and Mr. Trump will reach a final agreement, responded, “It’s too early to say. I would not say I’m pessimistic.”

Kim Jong Un says it’s too early to say if he and Trump will reach a deal

Trump says he’s in no rush on denuclearization

Mr. Trump appeared to downplay expectations both for the summit and for denuclearization.

“So I can’t speak necessarily to today, but I can say this, a little bit longer term, and over a period of time, I know we’re going to have a fantastic success with respect to Chairman Kim and North Korea,” Mr. Trump said. “They’re going to have an economic powerhouse. I’ve been writing about it, I’ve been talking about it. I think it is going to be an economic powerhouse and it’s something I very much look forward to helping with because with a little bit of help in the right location and the right place, I think it’s going to be something very special.”

“I’ve been saying very much from the beginning that speed is not that important to me,” the president continued. “I very much appreciate no testing of nuclear rockets, missiles, any of it. Very much appreciate it. Chairman Kim and I had a great talk about that last night. I’d let him say what he said if he’d like to and if he doesn’t want to, he doesn’t have to. But we had a very good talk about that last night.”

Trump and Kim sit down

Mr. Trump and Kim sat down for their first meeting, with female translators seated behind them.

Kim said North Korea has made many efforts so far, and so they decided it was time to have this dialogue, despite critics.

Mr. Trump said he thinks over the years they’ll “be together a lot.”

“We had very good discussions last night at dinner and the pre-dinner was very good,” and lots of good ideas are being thrown around, Mr. Trump said.

Most importantly, the president said, he thinks the two leaders have a good relationship.

Trump arrives at meeting location

Shortly before 9 a.m. local time, or 9 p.m. Eastern time, Mr. Trump arrived at the hotel where he and Kim will meet for their full morning of meetings.

Onlookers lined the road, snapping photos as Mr. Trump’s motorcade took to the streets. Security was tight.

Trump and Kim to sign joint agreement

Trump says North Korea summit will lead to a “wonderful situation”

Long before the president’s second day of the summit began, the White House’s schedule said Mr. Trump and Kim would sign a joint agreement.

But it’s unclear what exactly they will be signing. Last year in Singapore, Mr. Trump and Kim signed a document that sketched out their mutual goals.

Mr. Trump will also hold a press conference for reporters.

Here is Trump’s schedule for the day

Hours before Thursday’s meetings, the White House released the president’s schedule as follows. There is a 12-hour time difference between Hanoi and the East Coast.

LOCAL /EST

6 a.m./6 p.m. Out-of-Town Travel Pool Call Time

8:25 a.m./8:25 p.m. THE PRESIDENT departs JW Marriott Hanoi en route to the Sofitel Legend Metropole

8:45AM/8:45PM THE PRESIDENT arrives at the Sofitel Legend Metropole

9:00AM/9:00PM THE PRESIDENT participates in a 1:1 bilateral meeting with the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

9:45AM/9:45PM THE PRESIDENT participates in an expanded bilateral meeting with the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

11:55AM/11:55PM THE PRESIDENT participates in a working lunch with the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

2:05PM/2:05AM THE PRESIDENT participates in a Joint Agreement Signing Ceremony with the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

2:40PM/2:40AM THE PRESIDENT departs Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi en route to the JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi

3:00PM/3:00AM THE PRESIDENT arrives at the JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi

3:50PM/3:50AM THE PRESIDENT participates in a press conference

5:15PM/5:15AM THE PRESIDENT departs JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi en route to Noi Bai International Airport

5:55PM/5:55AM THE PRESIDENT arrives at Noi Bai International Airport

6:05PM/6:05AM THE PRESIDENT departs Hanoi, Vietnam, en route to Joint Base Andrews

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