Trump tries his 'art of the deal' on Pyongyang

SO-CALLED "secret negotiations" are reportedly underway, it seems, between the US and North Korea. The outcome of these clandestine talks is of critical - possibly even existential - importance to North-east Asia, as well as to the rest of the world.

The recent lull in Pyongyang's ballistic missile firing activities and in the war of words between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump is a welcome side effect of these negotiations, although it is far from certain that they will be successful. Mr Trump sees himself as a consummate ma…