WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement:

“The new sanctions to disrupt North Korean shipping and trading will further isolate the Kim Regime, and they could be a useful tool in pressuring Pyongyang if they were coupled with robust diplomatic engagement. Unfortunately, the Trump Administration has undermined any diplomatic strategy with its own reckless behavior and outright failure to fill key diplomatic positions. I am deeply concerned that the President’s approach—which he has said may involve unprovoked American military action—could quickly escalate with catastrophic consequences.

“Trumpeting more sanctions as a get-tough tactic against North Korea makes it even stranger that this White House refuses to use sanctions against Russia in response to an attack on our democracy. Secretary Tillerson says it will be ‘very difficult’ to prevent the next wave of election meddling that’s already underway. Frankly, I’m puzzled how he knows this since we haven’t even tried.”

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