President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agree on the urgent need to address growing tension with North Korea.
In a phone call Sunday, the two leaders agreed to increase diplomatic and economic pressure on the country after its most recent missile launch.
On Friday, North Korea said it successfully launched a missile it claims could hit anywhere in the U.S. But experts doubt the North has the "guidance and control" to make that happen.
Related Story
North Korea's Missile Program Is Progressing Faster Than We Thought
Trump and Abe want other countries to step up their efforts to control North Korea — especially China.
Trump blames China for not doing enough to stop Kim Jong-un. He claimed China benefits greatly from its trade alliance with the U.S. and doesn't do enough in return.
A Chinese official said Monday there should not be a connection between the country's trade relations with the U.S. and its dealings with North Korea.
China is one of North Korea's biggest trade partners, so it's possible China could have some leverage in negotiating with North Korea to tone down its missile threats.
During their phone call, Trump and Abe both spoke about bolstering their missile defense systems, but there was no talk about military action toward North Korea.
The U.S. successfully tested a missile defense system in Alaska on Sunday.
