President Donald Trump broke off denuclearization talks with North Korea on Friday, firing off a series of tweets in which he blamed friction with China for a lack of "sufficient progress with respect to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."
"I have asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo not to go to North Korea, at this time," the president wrote, "because I feel we are not making sufficient progress with respect to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."
I have asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo not to go to North Korea, at this time, because I feel we are not makin… https://t.co/yf7iijOJ8o— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1535132160.0
Trump said that because of his "much tougher Trading stance with China," he does "not believe they are helping with the process of denuclearization."
...Additionally, because of our much tougher Trading stance with China, I do not believe they are helping with the… https://t.co/Sy5sF2NQVR— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1535132161.0
The president concluded his proclamation with praise for North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, sending his "warmest regards" and "respect."
I look forward to seeing him soon!
...Secretary Pompeo looks forward to going to North Korea in the near future, most likely after our Trading relatio… https://t.co/MdhLZ8Vhzi— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1535132162.0
This is, of course, a total reversal from Trump's numerous assertions that North Korea no longer poses a nuclear threat.
@realDonaldTrump https://t.co/CwLZU2fXqZ— thanksgiving is the best holiday fight me (@thanksgiving is the best holiday fight me) 1535143728.0
@realDonaldTrump You told the American people we no longer had to worry about North Korea!… https://t.co/C6IyojOERG— brightmyer (@brightmyer) 1535142910.0
The president appears to be reaping the consequences of his metastisizing trade war with China, on whom Trump has levied hundreds of billions of dollars worth of tariffs since this past spring. China has imposed retaliatory tariffs on exports from the United States.
The resulting deterioration in American-Chinese relations, for which Trump is responsible, according to Trump, has left China with little reason to cooperate in the effort to denuclearize North Korea.
Social media tore into the president because really, he should have seen this coming.
This is why "previous presidents did not start a trade war with China."
@realDonaldTrump So I hope now you understand why previous presidents did not start a trade war with China. They we… https://t.co/avswiOyyXs— Ange (@Ange) 1535143453.0
@realDonaldTrump So, your sanctions are raising costs to the American consumer, leaving American farmers’ products… https://t.co/GJ2qLNiR16— a dub (@a dub) 1535143121.0
@annaloueezy @huskypackmom @realDonaldTrump Get him out— crazy lady (@crazy lady) 1535143729.0
So much for an "easy to win trade war," huh.
@realDonaldTrump So, your trade war which you claimed would be “easy to win” is having detrimental effects? Not onl… https://t.co/29DLJiey4f— Cassandra Healey (@Cassandra Healey) 1535143183.0
@realDonaldTrump How’s your tough stance on China working out? You know, one of our biggest trading partners? I’m s… https://t.co/92xiNHzw5A— A monkey’s uncle (@A monkey’s uncle) 1535143437.0
Others felt Trump canceling talks with North Korea was just an attempt at distraction from the disastrous legal week the president has had.
@realDonaldTrump You knew China wasn't helping! This was another of your distractions! #TrumpIsAPathologicalLiar… https://t.co/4q3gVfe6CO— brightmyer (@brightmyer) 1535143090.0
@realDonaldTrump Release the last 20 years of your taxes. Bet they show Russian gave you lots of money. You’re an a… https://t.co/zszT226PGO— Jean Osborne (@Jean Osborne) 1535142656.0
For others, it's simple: "You got played," Stephen King replied.
@realDonaldTrump You got played.— Stephen King (@Stephen King) 1535144273.0
@realDonaldTrump Your followers actually believe this Bullshit? You cancelled our Military exercises with South Ko… https://t.co/AbovhKKsie— Dennis R. Hill (@Dennis R. Hill) 1535143245.0
@realDonaldTrump “We aren’t making progress”? Really? North Korea has no interest in denuclearization. You were tot… https://t.co/zJbGeRZS5d— Cassandra Healey (@Cassandra Healey) 1535143422.0
And the United States got nothing out of the "deal" Trump and Kim signed in Singapore this summer.
@SamKolder2 @realDonaldTrump He ended the military exercises which is what Kim wanted. He gave Kim standing on the… https://t.co/wvDKoAWyOg— Scream the Truth (@Scream the Truth) 1535135044.0
So much for that Nobel Prize.
@realDonaldTrump But what about your Nobel Peace Prize?— TheFatLiberal (@TheFatLiberal) 1535143553.0
@realDonaldTrump https://t.co/5c3YiMaUnH— Bowser (@Bowser) 1535135292.0
Make no mistake - the collapse of the North Korea nuclear talks is a massive blow to Trump's perception of his presidency.