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FL Congressman aims to hit North Korea through China

Part of the sweeping defense policy bill passed by the U.S. House on July 14 includes an amendment aimed at hindering North Korea’s nuclear program by influencing China.

Congressman Ron DeSantis (R-FL), who represents parts of Northeast Florida, says his amendment authorizes the Secretary of Defense to terminate or prohibit contracts with China companies found to have ties to North Korea.  It requires the Defense Department to identify those Chinese companies doing business with North Korea.

“So it’s a way to leverage our power of defense acquisition in a way that puts a thumb on the scale in favor of China actually trying to be helpful with North Korea instead of continuing to really be an economic lifeline,” DeSantis says.

The Congressman says China will “kind of say some good things and may do something small” when confronted by the U.S.

“And then when the issue recedes a little bit from the front burner, then they go back and continue on their previous conduct,” he says.

A statement from DeSantis’ office reads:

“As Kim Jong-un escalates his crazed campaign for a nuclear weapon, the United States needs to take action to stymie those efforts.  Denying access to our financial markets to Chinese companies willingly working with North Korea will have a significant impact and send a clear message that China can no longer accommodate the maniacal Kim regime without consequence.

“The NDAA will also strengthen our military, by providing our troops with a much-deserved pay raise and funding investments in defense infrastructure and weapons systems,” he added.

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