GETTY The US may cut of trade with China to reign in North Korea

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Treasury Secretary Steve Munchin suggested on Wednesday that the US is willing to cut off trade “with anyone who trades with North Korea”. He said in an interview on Fox News: “I’ve worked on an executive order that's ready if the president wants to use it. “We can stop trade with any country that does business with North Korea.

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“We are going to be careful in using these tools, but the president is committed. We will use economic sanctions to bring North Korea to the table.” When asked whether he included China, Mnuchin replied: “Stopping trade with anybody. Nobody would be off the table.” President Trump took to Twitter in the wake of North Korea's sixth and most powerful nuclear test to make the same threat.

He said: “I will be meeting General Kelly, General Mattis and other military leaders at the White House to discuss North Korea. Thank you. “The United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea.” China replied that the President’s comments are “unacceptable". He also Tweeted today: "China has a business tax rate of 15%. We should do everything possible to match them in order to win with our economy. Jobs and wages!"

North Korea hosts a lavish banquet in honour of the country’s nuclear weapons developers Wed, September 13, 2017 A gala banquet celebrating last week’s hydrogen bomb test, which was so powerful it caused an earthquake Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 10 North Korean leader Kim Jong Un claps during a celebration for nuclear scientists and engineers who contributed to a hydrogen bomb test, in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA)

GETTY Munchin said he has an executive order that is ready if the president wants to use it

The heated words come as North Korea has been hit with tough sanctions. The UN passed new sanctions on the East Asian dictatorship unanimously. Former North Korea's allies Russia and China also voted in favour of new oil imports limits.

GETTY China called Trump's comments "unacceptable"