Trump-Kim nuclear summit cut short

The much-heralded summit between President Trump and the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been dramatically cut short.

While the leaders were in an expanded bilateral meeting, the White House said Donald Trump would give a press conference earlier than expected and it was unclear if there would be a signing ceremony.

Just two hours before, Trump and Kim had held a press conference together on the second day of their talks in Vietnam. The message was there was “no rush” to get a deal done. The demeanour of both leaders was largely sombre even though both professed to be hopeful about future ties. Asked about the prospects for a deal, the North Korean leader said:

“Well, it’s too early to tell, but I wouldn’t say that I’m pessimistic. From what I feel right now, I do have a feeling that good results will come out.”