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Trump Celebrates As UN Imposes ‘Strongest Sanctions Ever’ On North Korea

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Ryan Pickrell China/Asia Pacific Reporter
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President Donald Trump praised the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) newly-imposed sanctions on North Korea Saturday that will put greater pressure on the rogue regime’s economy.

North Korea’s two intercontinental ballistic missile tests last month drove the UNSC to pursue “the strongest sanctions ever imposed” on North Korea, according to CNN, which cites a statement from U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley’s office.

President Donald Trump praised the latest action against North Korea on Twitter.

UNSC Resolution 2371, which targets North Korea’s primary exports — specifically coal, iron and iron ore, lead and lead ore, and seafood, passed unanimously. The sanctions also put other sources of revenue, such as banks and joint ventures, in the cross hairs. The sanctions are expected to cut the North’s exports revenue by a third, roughly $1 billion.

“We said that the time for talking was over and that it was time for action. Today you’re going to see the action. It’s going to hit hard but it’s going to make a strong point to North Korea that all this ICBM and this nuclear irresponsibility has to stop,” Haley said at the UNSC gathering.

Experts assess that North Korea’s Hwasong-14 ICBM can strike targets across the continental U.S., escalating the threat to American citizens.

While the UNSC resolution and the incoming sanctions are an important step towards reining in North Korea, it may not be enough. It may still be necessary to target enabling entities in China, and if sanctions, fail, more aggressive options may be required. Sanctions take time to take effect, and North Korea’s missile program is advancing at an accelerated rate, limiting the time available. Furthermore, North Korea has been fighting against sanctions for over a decade, yet their weapons programs continue.

The administration is avoiding the application of military force at all cost, recognizing the cost of such action for both the U.S. and its allies in the region.

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