Donald Trump attack on G7 allies was show of strength ahead of Kim Jong-un summit, claims aide

Donald Trump tore up a G7 agreement and lashed out at his allies as part of a demonstration of strength as he flew into Singapore ahead of Tuesday's crunch talks with Kim Jong-un, according to a senior White House adviser.

The president's blistering attack on his Canadian counterpart - which he continued on Monday in Asia - was part of a ploy to offer no hint of weakness as he prepares for high stakes nuclear diplomacy, said Larry Kudlow, chief economic adviser to the president, on Sunday.

He was speaking as Mr Trump touched down in Singapore aboard Air Force One, a few hours after Kim arrived with his entourage.

Trailing in his wake was the turbulence of a G7 summit all but sabotaged by a pair of incendiary tweets aimed at Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minster, describing him as “dishonest” and “meek”, as well as ordering his officials not to sign a joint statement on trade, Iran and climate change.

He continued the offensive on Monday, saying "Justin acts hurt when called out!".

It marked an extraordinary outburst against a nation long seen as one of America’s closest allies.

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As world leaders accused Mr Trump of undermining diplomacy in 280 characters, Mr Kudlow, his chief economic adviser, blamed the Canadian prime minister for the breakdown. He insisted American president would not be pushed around by Canada just before meeting a “crazy nuclear tyrant”.

“Kim must not see American weakness,” he told CNN’s State of the Union.

US officials have taken pains to suggest that Mr Trump’s muscular, unconventional approach marks him out as uniquely qualified to pacify one of the world’s most unpredictable dictatorships.

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For his part, Mr Trump has billed the summit in Singapore as a “one-time shot” at peace.

He told reporters waiting at the airport that he felt "very good" about its prospects before climbing into a limousine and heading to the hotel.

Meanwhile, Kim – making only his third known trip outside North Korea – held a surprise meeting with Lee Hsien Loong, the prime minister of Singapore.

“The entire world is watching the historic summit between (North Korea) and the United States of America, and thanks to your sincere efforts ... we were able to complete the preparations for the historic summit," he told Mr Lee.

As many as 3,000 journalists have converged on Singapore amid tight security to follow developments.

American and North Korean officials are due to meet on Monday to make final preparations for the summit on the resort island of Sentosa.

Capella Hotel Sentosa Island - Singapore

Mr Trump is understood to be planning to use the meeting to develop a personal connection between the two leaders, dangling US investment as a lure to the isolated, cash-strapped state.

A source familiar with the preparations told the news website Axios that the president was particularly excited at the thought of getting iconic American companies, such as McDonald’s, into the hermit nation.

The North, many experts believe, stands on the brink of being able to target the entire US mainland with its nuclear missiles, and there remains deep scepticism that Kim is willing to give up weapons long seen as key to his regime’s survival.