UNITED NATIONS (AP) – U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley warned China on Wednesday that it risks its massive trade with the United States if its business with North Korea violates U.N. sanctions.
In a hard-hitting speech at an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council following Pyongyang’s successful launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, she said that “the world has become a more dangerous place” and China has a key role in promoting peace and “preventing a catastrophe.”
Haley said the United States doesn’t seek conflict – “in fact we seek to avoid it.” But she said the launch of an ICBM “is a clear and sharp military escalation” and the U.S. is prepared to use its “considerable military forces” to defend itself and its allies “if we must.”
“But we prefer not to go in that direction,” she said. “We have other methods of addressing those who threaten us, and of addressing those who supply the threats. We have great capabilities in the area of trade.”
Haley said she spoke at length to President Donald Trump on Wednesday morning about “countries that are allowing, even encouraging trade with North Korea, in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.”