U.S. Officials are now confirming the North Korean missile test was an intercontinental ballistic missile.

The ICBM, which is believed to be “two-stage,” officials said, would have a range of at least 3,500 miles, and thus be capable of reaching Alaska. (NBC link)

This launch represents another escalation by Kim Jung-Un in his ongoing quest for long-range intercontinental ballistic nuclear missiles. The ICBM test is another in a series of violations of U.N. Security Council resolutions banning the launches, and is simultaneously a slap in the face to Chinese President Xi Jinping who is presumably trying to get North Korea to back down.

China’s support of North Korea will become even more of an issue with the increased escalations. Understanding the perspective of President Donald Trump toward these events, we would/should anticipate a series of economic actions by the U.S. administration against China.

The U.S. cannot focus exclusively on North Korea, their enablers must be targeted for corrective leverage. Economic sanctions can increase internal regional pressure.

There is a solid argument to be made, and personally I would agree with it, that a change in China’s MFN (Most Favored Nation) trade status, an economic position they cherish and lobby extensively to retain, may now be the next phase to get behaviors to change.

(Via Reuters) North Korea state television showed a large truck painted in military camouflage carrying the missile. It was identical to one a U.N. sanctions panel has said was “most likely” converted from a Chinese timber truck. Since 2006, U.N. sanctions have banned the shipment of military hardware to North Korea. But control of equipment and vehicles that have “dual-use” military and civilian applications has been far less stringent. The vehicle was imported from China and declared for civilian use by the North Korean foreign ministry, according to a 2013 report by the U.N. panel. Tuesday’s launch was the first time the truck had been seen in a military field operation in pictures published in state media. (link)

Donald Trump has expressly viewed the problem with North Korea through the prism of economic engagement with China. It’s time to put the perspective into action and begin a process of punishing China for their enabling of North Korea.

President Trump has stroked the panda fur, and given Xi Jinping every opportunity to extend his massive influence toward a positive outcome. Unfortunately China has not taken severe enough action to curtail the North Korean threat.

Therefore it is time to end the niceties and take a more deliberate an consequential approach toward China. Perhaps beginning by the removal of China’s coveted MFN trade status, and then work further toward ever increasing economic action until Xi Jinping realizes his best economic outcome is to curtail the Kim Jung-Un regime once and for all.

Market economics, as punishment for hostile action, while costly, are much more less expensive (in every way) than a war.

Begin boycotting China. Yes, that means U.S. companies, looking at you Apple, need to be direct targets also. Nothing will change until something changes.

Trump admin has a "clear-eyed diplomatic strategy" that's "well proportioned to the threat," Sen Chris Coons said after North Korea briefing — Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) April 26, 2017

Trump to visit South-east Asia, attend US-Asean summit in November | TODAYonline https://t.co/VLDQzQvkLL — TheLastRefuge (@TheLastRefuge2) April 27, 2017