The Trump Administration Sharpens Secondary Sanctions — China and Russia Are On Notice

As recently as July 25, 2017, in a wide-ranging interview with the Wall Street Journal, President Trump suggested a willingness to offer trade-related inducements to China in return for China's assistance in peacefully resolving the North Korea problem. In recent weeks, however, as the threat from North Korea has intensified, the Trump administration has signaled a shift in tactics in dealing with China, North Korea's principal economic partner and strategic ally, and Russia.