China warns US that Trump's threat to cut trade over North Korea is 'unfair'

China has said Donald Trump's threat to cut off trade with countries that deal with North Korea is "unacceptable".

Mr Trump warned that the US was considering halting trade with "any country doing business with North Korea" in response to the North's latest nuclear test and hydrogen-bomb claim.

In response to Mr Trump's threat, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said it was not fair - as China had work on resolving the North Korea issue via talks and that effort was not being recognised.

"What we absolutely cannot accept is that on the one hand (we are) making arduous efforts to peacefully resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, and on the other hand (our) interests are being sanctioned or harmed," he said.

"This is both not objective and not fair."

America's defence secretary earlier warned North Korea that any threat to the US and its allies would be met by a "massive military response".

Speaking outside the White House, James Mattis said America's response would be "both effective and overwhelming" if it was put in danger.

"We are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea. But we have many options to do so," he said.

Despite tough talk from the US, the immediate response from the international community is likely to focus on enforcing even tougher economic sanctions on the isolated state.

The UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting at the request of the UK, Japan, France, South Korea and the US - its second urgent session in less than a week.

According to diplomats, the Security Council could consider banning North Korea's national airline and textile exports from Pyongyang, as well as halting the supply of oil to its government and military.

North Korean nationals could also be prevented from working abroad, and its top officials could be subjected to an asset freeze.

Such economic penalties have had little effect on Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions in the past.

Prime Minister Theresa May said the "reckless" nuclear test posed an "unacceptable further threat to the international community".

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said if North Korea managed to fit a hydrogen bomb to a "successful missile" it would "unquestionably present a new order of threat".

Concerning the way ahead, Mr Johnson said that "none of the military options are good".

But on sanctions, he pointed out that China is responsible for 90% of North Korea's trade, adding that Kim Jong Un's nation has only six months of oil supplies left.

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