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US House tightens sanctions on nuclear-armed North Korea

US House tightens sanctions on nuclear-armed North Korea

North Korea

Story highlights

The US House of Representatives approved a legislation targeting shipping industry and companies that do business with the reclusive state

The USHouse of Representatives overwhelmingly approved legislation on Thursday to tightensanctionsonNorthKoreaby targeting its shipping industry and companies that do business with the reclusive state.

The vote was 419 to 1.

Supporters said the legislation was intended to send a strong message toNorthKorea, amid international concern over the escalation of its nuclear programme.

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The measure would have to be approved by the Senate before it could be sent to the White House for President Donald Trump to sign into law.

Although legislation addressingNorthKoreahas been introduced in the Senate, there was no immediate word on when or if the Senate might take up a bill.

Any new USsanctionsagainstNorthKoreawould likely affect China, theNorth's most important trade partner.

While China has been angered byNorthKorea's nuclear and missile tests, it has signed up for increasingly tough UNsanctionsagainst it, and says it is committed to enforcing them.

Asked about the latest USlegislation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang reiterated that China opposed other countries using their own domestic law to impose unilateralsanctions.

With the situation tense on theKorean Peninsula, all sides need to exercise restraint and not irritate each other to avoid the situation worsening, he said.

(Reuters)