White House: Trump appreciates China, Russia for votes on N. Korea sanctions

The White House said late Saturday that President Trump appreciates China’s and Russia’s help in passing increased sanctions on North Korea.

“President Donald J. Trump commends the United Nations Security Council for passing a new resolution that increases sanctions on North Korea in response to its recent ballistic missile tests,” the press secretary’s office said in a statement

“The President appreciates China’s and Russia’s cooperation in securing passage of this resolution,” it added.

{mosads}The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously earlier in the day to impose new sanctions in retaliation for North Korea’s recent intercontinental ballistic missile tests. The most recent test raised concerns that Pyongyang could strike the continental U.S.

The White House said that Trump will continue working with allies and partners to increase pressure on North Korea to “end its threatening and destabilizing behavior.”

“The United Nations Security Council just voted 15-0 to sanction North Korea. China and Russia voted with us. Very big financial impact!” Trump tweeted earlier in the day.

The United Nations Security Council just voted 15-0 to sanction North Korea. China and Russia voted with us. Very big financial impact!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2017

Trump had lashed out against China in recent weeks for not doing more to rein in Pyongyang.

“I am very disappointed in China. Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet…they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem!” he tweeted late last month.

I am very disappointed in China. Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet…

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2017

…they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2017