We’ll deal with N’Korea if China fails to do so, Trump says

Controversial US President Donald Trump has sounded a note of warning saying that Washington might deal with North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes on its own if need be.

Trump also suggested that the US will use trade as a lever to secure Chinese cooperation against North Korea by imposing sanctions on Kim Jong Un’s led government.

The businessman turned politician made the comments in an interview with Financial Times which was published on Sunday.

Read also: Despite threat of sanctions, N’Korea preparing for 6th nuclear test, reports say

“China has great influence over North Korea. And China will either decide to help us with North Korea, or they won’t. And if they do that will be very good for China, and if they don’t it won’t be good for anyone,” Trump was quoted as saying, according to an edited transcript published by the newspaper.

When asked what incentive the US had to offer China, Trump replied: “Trade is the incentive. It is all about trade.”

Recall that three days after the US warned that it would consider military action against North Korea if it was provoked, Pyongyang replied by stating that it is not frightened by US threats of possible pre-emptive military action to halt its nuclear and missile buildup.

Pyongyang made the comments through its Foreign Ministry condemning US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s recent talk of tougher sanctions, more pressure, and possible military action against North Korea.

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