New US penalties on Chinese, Russian firms over North Korea

WASHINGTON – The Trump administration on Tuesday imposed sanctions on 16 mainly Chinese and Russian companies and people for assisting North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs and helping the North make money to support those programs.

The penalties are intended to complement new UN Security Council sanctions and further isolate North Korea for its nuclear and missile tests amid heightened tensions that have led to threats from both sides, the Treasury Department said in a statement.

The measures block any assets they may have in US jurisdictions and bar Americans from transactions with them.