The Trump administration is pushing China to take action against nearly 10 Chinese entities who the U.S. says are trading with North Korea and supporting the rogue nation’s nuclear weapons program.
The Wall Street Journal reports that if Beijing does not punish these Chinese companies and individuals before the end of the summer, the U.S. Treasury Department could impose unilateral sanctions against the entities.
According to the report, absent action against these Chinese entities, American officials fear North Korea could be able to develop a missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead that can hit the U.S. within a few years.
North Korea has conducted nine missile tests since Trump took office. At the core of its North Korea strategy, the Trump administration is urging China, Pyongyang’s powerful neighbor and biggest trade partner, to be more aggressive in cutting off crucial lifelines to the regime of Kim Jong Un.
Previous U.S. presidents have pressured China to help stop North Korea’s nuclear-weapons program, but Beijing’s policy has remained unchanged. While China would like to see a nuclear-free North Korea, it also fears regime collapse, worrying that a massive influx of migrants could overwhelm Beijing and U.S. troops could occupy Pyongyang.
