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Trump’s China and North Korea expert Matt Pottinger to become new US deputy national security adviser
- Former journalist and ex-US Marine played key role in arranging US president’s summits with Kim Jong-un
- Pottinger has helped forge China and North Korea policy since Trump took office in January 2017
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Matt Pottinger, the White House’s senior Asia adviser, is expected to become the top deputy for US President Donald Trump’s new national security adviser, Robert O’Brien, two senior administration officials said on Friday.
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Pottinger, who is likely to take up his new post of deputy national security adviser within days, is a former journalist and ex-US Marine who has helped forge China and North Korea policy since Trump took office in January 2017.
He played a key role in arranging Trump’s summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, a diplomatic engagement that has made little progress toward persuading Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Pottinger’s appointment was expected to be announced as early as Friday, just days after Trump named O’Brien, a veteran foreign policy hand who had served as US hostage negotiator, to replace John Bolton as national security adviser.
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