February 23, 2018

Castro Statement on New North Korea Sanctions

Washington, D.C.—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today released the following statement:

“Sanctioning shipping and trading companies in North Korea sends a clear message to the Kim regime that the United States will not tolerate their current behavior. Such sanctions could be useful, especially when combined with a broader engagement strategy. But instead, the Trump Administration touts their desire for a ‘bloody nose’ strike while neglecting to fill key diplomatic posts in the Peninsula. This is deeply troubling.

“Today’s sanctions also shows the Trump Administration’s clear understanding of using sanctions as a foreign policy tool. This makes it even odder that there has been no additional sanctions imposed on Russia—a foreign actor we know has interfered in our elections and plans to do so again. The President has the authority to implement these, yet continues to ignore the will of Congress. As lawmakers, we must continue to press for these sanctions so we can protect our democracy even when our President fails to.”

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