Trump Cancels Summit: A look at the evolution of the Trump-Kim relationship

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03:01

Anticipation for the Trump-Kim summit had been building for months. The planned meeting signaled a shift in the relationship between Washington and Pyongyang. But this cancellation adds to the back-and-forth that has marked much of Trump's presidency. CGTN's Roee Ruttenberg takes a look at the complicated relationship between the two leaders.

Donald Trump penned this letter to Kim Jong Un to say: he won't be meeting him in Singapore next month.

Trump endorsed a possible face-to-face with Kim back in March. The Art of the Deal author touted the would-be historic summit as a big deal.

Then last week, after Pyongyang suggested it might walk away, Trump played it cool. No big deal, he said.

On Thursday, the DPRK again threatened to walk away. Trump responded that he's had enough and is out.

This "will-they won't-they" script might be better suited for Hollywood if it weren't so serious with characters like Little Rocket Man.

"Little Rocket Man, Little Rocket Man. Rocket Man. He's a sick puppy."

That's how Trump's referred to Kim and his affection for test firing missiles. And the "dotard" - an old English word for an old senile person. That's what Kim called Trump last year.

DONALD TRUMP US PRESIDENT "Rocket Man is on a suicide mission for himself and for his regime. The United States is ready, willing and able."

Just weeks ago, Trump said relations were starting off on a new footing after Kim released three Americans being held in the DPRK.

But this week, as Trump hosted South Korea's president at the White House, he said Kim's attitude had changed.

"I can't say that I'm happy about it."

In March, the U.S. President said he believed the DPRK was "sincere". A week later, Trump supporters at a rally in Pennsylvania booed when he mentioned the DPRK. The President stopped them.

But as a candidate, it was Trump himself who riled-up the crowds against Pyongyang. And said only he could deal with the DPRK.

In his first year in office, he floated threats of force.

DONALD TRUMP US PRESIDENT "North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States. They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen."

Then, started this year by telling the Wall Street Journal, he'd be open to diplomacy.

DONALD TRUMP US PRESIDENT "Kim Jong Un, he really has been very open and I think very honourable."

ROEE RUTTENBERG WASHINGTON "Trump may be using the rhetoric - the name-calling and taunting - as part of his story, his script which he's managed to both vilify Kim, and paint himself as the possible hero. How this chapter will end is still unclear. For now, it's a cliff-hanger. Roee Ruttenberg, CGTN, in Washington."