The moment Trump canceled Pompeo's visit to China

U.S. President Donald Trump held China accountable while he canceled a scheduled visit to North Korea by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Immediately, China responded with a strong feeling of repulsion by convoking officials of the U.S. Embassy to China to express complaints. The Chinese government said that it was absurd that the U.S. president linked the Sino-U.S. trade war with the North Korean issue. It implied that China would not offer cooperation regarding the North Korean issue, if the United States causes further trouble with trade issues.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China commented Saturday that the U.S. government’s remarks are against basic facts and irresponsible. It showed concerns over the issue by mentioning an expression‎, "severe negotiation," which is often used only when it convokes ambassadors to China to express complaints. The ministry practically pointed the finger at Donald Trump, warning him not to be whimsical and pass the buck onto others.

The Global Times, under the auspices of the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily, wrote Sunday in an editorial that the United States shifted the responsibilities regarding the Korean Peninsula issues onto China for nonsensical reason. The newspaper maintained that the United States audaciously blamed China in spite of its own faults, confirm‎ing that it is the United States that is held responsible for the stagnated North Korea-U.S. negotiations. The editorial wrote that Beijing will unlikely cooperate regarding the North Korean nuclear issue, if Washington continues to raise tension over trading issues with Beijing. The weakening of mutual trust between the two nations will necessarily have multi-faceted impact on Sino-U.S. cooperation, said the newspaper.


Wan-Jun Yun zeitung@donga.com