U.S. 'maximum pressure' on North Korea faces test with summit in limbo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. efforts to sustain and possibly intensify its "maximum pressure" campaign on North Korea are entering a perilous phase as a potential breakdown in diplomacy with Pyongyang raises fears that China may loosen its enforcement of international sanctions.

With the fate of a summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in limbo, U.S. officials have suggested Washington may pursue fresh sanctions on Pyongyang over its nuclear programme even though key players such as China and South Korea may be reluctant to participate.