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Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Hanoi, Vietnam

February 28, 2019
11:03 A.M. ICT

PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Are you all having a good time in Hanoi?  Everybody having a good time?  Everybody?  Jeff?  I hope.

Q    Chairman Kim, are you ready to denuclearize?  Are you ready to give up your nuclear weapons?

CHAIRMAN KIM:  (As interpreted.)  If I’m not willing to do that, I won’t be here right now.

PRESIDENT TRUMP:  That’s a good answer.  Wow.  That might be the best answer you’ve ever heard.

Q   Are you willing to take concrete steps to denuclearize, or not quite yet?

CHAIRMAN KIM:  (As interpreted.)  That is what we are discussing right now.

PRESIDENT TRUMP:  And don’t raise your voice, please.  This isn’t like dealing with Trump.

CHAIRMAN KIM:  (As interpreted.)  They all seem to be, you know, anxious.

PRESIDENT TRUMP:  I think they’re anxious and they’re calm.

Q    Chairman Kim, are you discussing human rights with President Trump?

PRESIDENT TRUMP:  We’re discussing everything.

So I just want to thank everybody for being here.  We’re having very productive discussions.  We’ll see where it all goes.  But we are having very productive discussions, and we appreciate it.  I think we’re having a press conference later on, and we’ll then be heading out back to our respective homes.

But, you know, I think we’ve had very, very productive discussions, and the relationship is as good as it’s ever been.  Better.  I think better.

Q    President Trump, is the time right for an end of the war with a political declaration?

PRESIDENT TRUMP:  A political what?

Q    Political statement to end the war.  Is the time right for that?

PRESIDENT TRUMP:  I think that no matter what happens, we’re going to ultimately have a deal that’s really good for Chairman Kim and his country, and for us.  I think, ultimately, that’s what’s going to happen.  That’s where it’s all leading.  It doesn’t mean we’re doing it in one day or two days, but it’s all leading toward a very — a very big success.

And I really believe that, with this great leadership, I really believe that North Korea is going to be very successful, and economically, it’s going to be something very, very special.

Go ahead.

Q    Chairman Kim, are you ready to allow the United States to have an office in Pyongyang?  Are you ready for that step?

PARTICIPANT:  (As interpreted.)  Is it better to leave — let the media go?

PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Yeah, I think we will.  I think we will.

It’s actually an interesting question though.  I would like to actually hear that answer, because it’s actually not a bad idea.

CHAIRMAN KIM:  (As interpreted.)  Well, I think that is something which is welcomable.

Q    It would be welcomed?  Today, it would be announced?

PRESIDENT TRUMP:  I actually think it’s a good idea.  Both ways.  You know, both ways.

CHAIRMAN KIM:  (As interpreted.)  If you would kindly give us more time between us, because, you know, one minute — even one minute is more precious to us.  Thank you.

PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Thank you all very much.  Thank you very much.

END

11:08 A.M. ICT