President Trump spoke Sunday night with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, as tensions intensify with North Korea amid expectations that the reclusive nation plans a sixth nuclear test.
In the call with Mr. Xi, Mr. Trump criticized North Korea’s continued belligerence and emphasized that Pyongyang’s actions are destabilizing the Korean Peninsula, according to the White House.
The two leaders reaffirmed the urgency of the threat posed by North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs, and committed to strengthen coordination in achieving the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, said the White House.
Mr. Xi also urged Mr. Trump to show restraint in the standoff with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, according to reports out of Beijing.
North Korea has threatened to sink the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson that is steaming with a Navy strike group toward the Korean peninsula.
Mr. Trump has pressed China to help rein in North Korea’s belligerent actions.
In the call with Mr. Abe, the discussion covered a range of issue, including North Korea.
Mr. Abe stressed his confidence in the American president’s ability to stand up to Mr. Kim.
“I said I had high regard for President Trump’s ability to use actions and words to show that all options are on the table,” Mr. Abe told reporters in Tokyo.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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