US Challenges China On North Korea Nuclear Threat Amid Unsanctioned Missile Launches
By Kasia Kovacs @kasiakovacs
North Korea leader Kim Jong Un smiles as he visits Sohae Space Center in Cholsan County, North Pyongan province for the testing of a new engine for an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency, April 9, 2016. Reuters/KCNA
Ahead of a summit between the leaders of the U.S. and China, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations challenged China to up its offense against North Korea, which has been testing its nuclear capabilities at an increasing pace over the past few months.
President Donald Trump's administration has "no patience" for the "cat-and-mouse situations" being provoked by North Korea, said U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations NIkki Haley speaks to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) policy conference in Washington, D.C, March 27, 2017. Haley warned China Thursday that Beijing needed to get tougher on North Korea, which has been aggressively testing its nuclear arsenal. Reuters
"Look, can we change the way North Korea thinks? No. They're not going to cave. China can, and that's the part we want to look at," Haley said Thursday. "I know China says they're worried about North Korea. I know China wants to see North Korea stop with the testing. Prove it. Prove it."
Read: North Korea Nuclear Timeline: History Of Weapons Buildup From US Antagonist
In February, China said it would stop coal imports from North Korea. But Haley said this wasn't enough, and that China and North Korea still trade coal "through other ways." Trump seems to share Haley's frustration with Beijing, tweeting earlier this month that China "has done little to help" stop North Korea's nuclear aggression.
Read: Kremlin Warns Pyongyang About Missile Strikes, Indicating Tension Between Once-Friendly Neighbors
In addition, the Trump Administration is reportedly considering sanctions that would target Chinese companies and banks that do business with North Korea.
On Thursday, news outlets reported that North Korea may be preparing for another nuclear test, according to satellite images. U.S. intelligence agencies have grown increasingly concerned about North Korea's aggressive nuclear weapons program; officials from Pyongyang have said they hoped to create a nuclear missile that could reach the continental U.S.
Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to discuss North Korea, among other topics, when Xi meets with the U.S. president at his Mar-A-Lago resort in Florida next Thursday and Friday.
"I think you're going to see them talk very much about the responsibility that we believe China has," Haley said. "The fact that we don't have the patience to sit here and see it go round and round anymore. And the fact that we want action."
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