The U.S. will be pursuing economic and diplomatic pressure on North Korea, the Trump administration told senators and House representatives.
That includes applying harsher sanctions and pressuring China to take action. This comes after speculation of the United States taking military action against its adversary.
President Trump’s top national security officials briefed the lawmakers in a classified meeting about North Korea’s escalating nuclear capabilities and U.S. response options.
They made no mention of military action, but only said the United States will defend itself and allies.
Lawmakers responded after the briefing.
“I can’t give you the information that’s classified but what I will tell you is that there is additional legislation, which we are going to move very quickly that will also choke off some of the hard currency that this regime uses for its nuclear program,” said Rep. Ed Royce (R-Calif.), Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee.
“I think we need to impress upon China that there are steps that we will have to take in the absence of more effective Chinese action that would increase our naval presence in the region, that would increase our anti-missile presence in the region, and that will be necessary to implement secondary sanctions. And I think that we are at the point where we need to start utilizing that very powerful financial tool, as we did with Iran,” said Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.).
“But I would advise the administration to be very careful about any miscalculation. We’re dealing with an erratic regime, a young inexperienced leader who murders members of his own family and I think the best approach for the administration is to bring the maximum pressure to bear diplomatically on China, as well as North Korea, but otherwise to walk softly and carry a big stick,” he added.