I think the VP is usually present at these types of meetings; but indeed there was double-teaming.

That, and Trump is incoherent. He has been for a couple of years now, unable to put even two sentences together that make any sense. He speaks entirely in applause one-liners. I think his dementia is significant now. If he were left alone with any world leader they'd realize almost immediately he's incompetent.

This is especially evident when you compare interviews today with those he gave 30 years ago. He was bright then. He's nothing like that today. That's also why he now refuses to be interviewed by unfriendlies.

That seems plausible as Trump in his speeches loses his train of thought now and then. Would not play well if he was alone in that situation.