US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has called for tougher sanctions on North Korea while speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting on Friday. 

He said that Washington will push for a tougher global response to North Korea, which will see China come under heavy pressure to rein in its ally.

Secretary Tillerson: For too long, the international community has been reactive in addressing North Korea. Those days must come to an end.

— Department of State (@StateDept) April 28, 2017

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was in New York for the meeting which follows weeks of warnings from the US administration that it will no longer tolerate North Korea's missile launches and nuclear tests.

Earlier today, President Donald Trump warned that there could be conflict between the US and North Korea. 

He said "There is a chance that we could end up having a major, major conflict with North Korea. Absolutely," before adding that "We'd love to solve things diplomatically, but it's very difficult."

Although the US is calling for tougher sanctions on North Korea, it wants China to take the lead in diplomatic efforts and resolving the crisis by using its leverage on Pyongyang.

Secretary Tillerson: We must levy new sanctions on #DPRK entities and individuals supporting its weapons and missile programs.

— Department of State (@StateDept) April 28, 2017

Targeted sanctions 

Speaking at the UN Security Council meeting Tillerson said "Failing to act now on the most pressing security issue in the world may bring catastrophic consequences," before adding "Business as usual is not an option.

"The threat of a North Korean nuclear attack on Seoul or Tokyo is real, and it is likely only a matter of time before North Korea develops the capability to strike the US mainland."

Tillerson said there was "no reason" to think North Korea would change course under the current multilateral sanctions regime, warning that: "The time has come for all of us to put new pressure on North Korea to abandon its dangerous path."

Tillerson then called on all countries to "downgrade diplomatic relations with North Korea and impose targeted sanctions on entities and individuals supporting Pyongyang's missile and nuclear program."

Secretary Tillerson: We ask members of this Council and all other partners to implement a new strategy to denuclearize North Korea.#DPRK pic.twitter.com/Z4aUnSWhUQ

— Department of State (@StateDept) April 28, 2017

Tillerson once again pointed toward China, which accounts for 90% of North Korea's trade, saying it "alone has economic leverage over Pyongyang that is unique" and he suggested that sanctions from Beijing would have a strong impact.