We Can Deal with North Korea by Ourselves, Says Trump

Ahead of a scheduled visit from Chinese President Xi Jinping, U.S. President Donald Trump has said the superpower is willing to go it alone if China declines to help the United States neutralize the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

RELATED:
Defying World Powers, Cuba Demands End to All Nuclear Weapons

Trump was not forthcoming with any measures the U.S. may use to stop North Korea from expanding its nuclear capabilities, missile range and capacity to deliver atomic warheads.

The U.S. president singled out trade as leverage to be used to coerce the Chinese into helping to dissuade North Korea's nuclear advancement aspirations. The comments were published on Sunday in a Financial Times interview. "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.

China has taken some steps to increase economic pressure on Pyongyang, but has stopped short of taking any measures that may destabilize the DPRK and send millions of refugees across its border.

According to an unnamed U.S. official, Trump's national security aides have completed a review of possible options to restrict North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. These include economic and military measures while also favoring sanctions on Beijing to rein in its neighbor. Although the option of preemptive military strikes on North Korea is not off the table, the review prioritizes less risky steps and "deemphasizes direct military action," the official added.

It remains unknown whether or not the National Security Council has passed on their recommendations to Trump. The White House declined to comment.

Trump and Xi are also expected to discuss China's stake in the South China Sea, through which about US$5 trillion in maritime trade passes yearly. China claims most of the resource-rich South China Sea, while Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and the breakaway Chinese province of Taiwan have competing, lesser claims on the strategic waterway.

China's foreign ministry said in a statement that top Chinese diplomat and State Councilor Yang Jiechi views the meeting between Xi and Trump as being of "great significance" for peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.