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In Havana in 2016, Obama aides goaded Raul Castro into a press conference, where Obama made point of forcing him to answer reporters’ questions.
In Hanoi today, Trump followed Kim’s lead in not having reporters ask questions at all, punishes those who tried anyway.
In Hanoi today, Trump followed Kim’s lead in not having reporters ask questions at all, punishes those who tried anyway.
There was a larger strategy when Obama would do this in authoritarian countries - China, Ethiopia etc - less about giving US reporters more fodder, more about making the leaders uncomfortable, and showing the people of those countries that leaders can be asked questions.
Obama certainly didn’t always do this - no press conferences with the kings of Saudi Arabia, for example - and it wasn’t because he liked doing press conferences ). But previous US presidents & staffs would fight for access overseas because they knew US sets these standards.
Also how standards have changed: the “limp arm” photo was a big deal, purportedly showing Obama submissive. It happened b/c Castro surprised Obama by trying to raise his arm in victory and Obama wouldn’t let him. Today, there are multiple shots of Trump reaching for Kim’s elbow. 
