‘Trump’s China measures may come this week’

Washington, July 31 (IANS) US President Donald Trumps top advisers are trying to craft a set of economic measures meant to punish China with a final decision expected as soon as this week, according to administration officials.

Trump’s aides met over the weekend and will continue the discussions on Monday, the officials told Politico news.

There were a range of options on the table, including trade restrictions, economic sanctions, the officials said, adding that it was still too early to confirm what Trump might decide.

The escalating situation in North Korea, including Friday’s latest intercontinental ballistic missile test, has heightened the urgency of crafting a cogent China strategy.

The President believes China is not doing enough to stop North Korea from building a nuclear weapon that could strike American territory.

"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!" Trump tweeted on the weekend.

Some of Trump’s harder-line aides – like policy adviser Stephen Miller, chief strategist Stephen Bannon and trade adviser Peter Navarro – have long pushed the President to take a tougher line against China, Politico news reported.