US wants China to step up "economic leverage" on N. Korea

WASHINGTON, April 27 (KUNA) -- As US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson prepares to head to the UN in New York for talks on North Korea Friday, the Trump Administration is calling for China to apply economic pressure on its ally to cease its missile threats.
"[China] has a unique relationship with North Korea and, frankly, has tremendous economic leverage on North Korea," State Department Acting Spokesperson Mark Toner told reporters.
"I think the president has spoken to the fact that he's seen, at least, in his conversations with President Xi [Jinping], at least, a willingness to look at a more constructive approach," Toner said.
Tillerson's message on Friday will include "convincing China they need to do more," he noted.
"We've been working, from literally almost day one, with the Chinese, making clear to them our concerns about North Korea and the fact that we need to see them do more," he continued. "Not in the coming years -- we need to see concrete action taken over the course of the short term, because this threat is only increasing." Toner's comments follow those of the head of US Pacific Command, Harry Harris, who told lawmakers Wednesday that "the fact remains that China is as responsible for where North Korea is today as North Korea itself." (end) ys.gb