US-China tensions give North Korea an opportunity to strengthen its position in nuclear talks
- Beijing is seen as less likely to put pressure on its ally to return to the negotiating table as a result of ongoing tensions with Washington
- The US goal of denuclearising the North appears to be getting nowhere even if Pyongyang has held back from further weapons tests
By the same point in the Biden administration, nothing of the sort has happened, but observers say the quieter start does not mean the new US president and his team will have an easier time coaxing North Korea back to the negotiating table over its nuclear weapons programme.
It has always been difficult for negotiators in Washington to strike any kind of deal with Pyongyang – the two countries have technically been at war since the 1950s – but observers say it may be harder than ever now without help from China.
“North Korea likely views the growing US-China rift as an opportunity,” said Rachel Minyoung Lee, a former intelligence analyst for the US government.
“From North Korea’s point of view, China is now even less motivated to cooperate with the US to pressure North Korea into denuclearisation, which gives North Korea some more wriggle room vis-à-vis the US.”
US-China relations have plummeted over the last year, and have shown few signs that they were ready to improve in the early weeks of the Biden presidency. Experts say that has affected Washington’s prospects for any diplomatic progress with Pyongyang.
