Trump’s North Korea hope, US revokes visas, China’s rocket force: 7 global relations reads

From plans that could upend the US elections to Canada tariffs, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in August 2026

US President Donald Trump said that he planned to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un later this year, despite Pyongyang denying that the two leaders were in direct communication.

China has called for public reports of suspected procurement corruption in the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, as an anti-corruption campaign continues involving the country’s strategic missile branch.

New US restrictions on mailed ballots took effect in August, leaving state and local election officials racing to comply – or persuade a federal judge to intervene – weeks before millions of ballots were due to be sent to voters ahead of November’s midterm elections.