US and China ‘in talks to restrict North Korea’s energy trade’ after fifth nuclear test
Nations discuss limits on Pyongyang’s trade in coal, iron ore and crude oil as Washington and its allies try to force Kim Jong-un’s regime to abandon pursuit of nuclear weapons
The United States and China are locked in negotiations over curbing North Korea’s energy trade in response to its fifth nuclear test September, according to four diplomats from United Nations Security Council countries with direct knowledge of the talks.
The world’s two biggest economies – both of which can veto any resolution – are discussing restrictions on North Korea’s trade in coal, iron ore and crude oil, according to the diplomats, who asked not to be named because the discussions are private.
The US wants to strangle North Korea, but is asking China to be the executioner
Other nations also considering separate sanctions against North Korea once the Security Council acts, the diplomats said.
The US and its allies are seeking to further tighten sanctions against Kim Jong-un’s regime to prod him into abandoning a pursuit of nuclear weapons that has only intensified in recent years, with the latest test coming on September 9.
The measures stand little chance of success without support from China, which has kept its neighbour from collapsing to avoid both a humanitarian crisis and the presence of American and South Korean troops on its border.
“The US wants to strangle North Korea, but is asking China to be the executioner,” said Shi Yongming, an associate research fellow at the Foreign Ministry-run China Institute of International Studies.