The White House said the President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May spoke via telephone to address North Korea’s claim last week that it tested a hydrogen bomb. | Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images Trump tells U.K.'s May 'now is not the time to talk' to North Korea

President Donald Trump spoke with British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday about North Korea, and he told her “now is not the time to talk” to the rogue country, according to a readout from the White House.

The White House said the two leaders spoke via telephone to address North Korea’s claim last week that it tested a hydrogen bomb. “They agreed that this latest reckless act only strengthens the world’s determination to confront the growing North Korea threat,” the White House said in a statement on Wednesday.


“President Trump reiterated that now is not the time to talk to North Korea, and made clear that all options remain open to defend the United States and its allies against North Korean aggression,” the readout added. “The two leaders resolved to continue working closely together on increasing diplomatic and economic pressure on North Korea, and to call on others to do the same.”

The growing nuclear threat from North Korea has quickly become one of the largest external challenges facing Trump just half a year into his first term.

POLITICO Playbook newsletter Sign up today to receive the #1-rated newsletter in politics Email Sign Up By signing up you agree to receive email newsletters or alerts from POLITICO. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

The United Nations Security Council recently voted to place harsher sanctions on the country in response to its refusal to halt development of its nuclear program, but it announced last week that it had tested a hydrogen bomb, a much stronger form of nuclear weapon, though some experts are skeptical of the claim.

Trump has escalated his rhetoric against North Korea, warning that the U.S. would be willing to take military action against the country.