Trump and Xi discuss North Korea situation, agree on ‘maximising pressure’

The two leaders spoke on phone amid the escalating crisis over Pyongyang’s ballistic and nuclear weapons programs.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump discussed the situation on the Korean peninsula by telephone on Monday, state news agency Xinhua reported.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) shake hands prior to a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, July 8, 2017. (Reuters File Photo)

The White House said Trump and Xi Jinping committed to “maximising pressure on North Korea”, amid an escalating crisis over Pyongyang’s ballistic and nuclear weapons programs.

“The two leaders committed to maximising pressure on North Korea through vigorous enforcement of United Nations Security Council resolutions.”

In a phone call the two men discussed “North Korea’s continued defiance of the international community and its efforts to destabilize Northeast Asia,” the White House said.

The two also discussed Trump’s coming China visit, Xinhua said.

“Xi said China and the United States share extensive common interests and have seen sound momentum of exchanges and cooperation in various areas at present,” the report said.

He called on both sides to work closely to ensure a fruitful trip and inject new impetus into the development of Sino-US relations, it said.

“The Chinese leader said he is happy to maintain communications with the US leader on a regular basis over topics of mutual concern.”