China’s trade with North Korea fell sharply from relatively high August levels and continues an erratic if clear decline since tighter UN sanctions.

By accepting tough rules on textiles, joint ventures, and overseas employment, new UN sanctions on North Korea are aimed squarely at the general economy.

ICBMs are not the only things soaring in North Korean skies. Comprehensive second quarter data released by China Customs last week shows a huge jump in North Korea’s trade deficit with China.

President Trump made lots of people a little nervous last week, tweeting that China had been “helpful” on North Korea but that “It just hasn’t worked out.” As if resigned to the inevitable, he typed “At least it tried”.

More than any other sanction imposed on the country, a cutoff of Chinese crude oil, translated into price hikes, angry customers, and slashed revenues, would cause big problems for Kim Jong-un.

Beijing’s Commerce Ministry surprised everyone on Friday, announcing a halt to imports of any coal from North Korea in 2017.