Trump promises 'major statement' on return from Asia in cryptic tweet

Donald Trump has said he will be making a “major statement” when he returns to the White House from Asia.

The US president is heading back to Washington DC from the Philippines, the final leg of a two-week tour of the region.

Trump, who shared no other details, has toured Japan, China, South Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines over the last 14 days.

In the latter he met with president Rodrigo Duterte, who has been accused of widespread human rights abuses.

Trump was criticised after he failed to condemn the Philippine leader’s war against drugs in the country, in which thousands have been killed.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said “human rights briefly came up”, but Harry Roque, a spokesman for Duterte, said “there was no mention of human rights.”

“There was no mention of extralegal killings. There was only a rather lengthy discussion of the Philippine war on drugs with President Duterte doing most of the explaining,” he said.

During the visit Trump said that all countries that trade with the US “know that the rules have changed”.

“The United States has to be treated fairly and in a reciprocal fashion,” Trump tweeted from Manila. “The massive TRADE deficits must go down quickly!”

Most popular on Yahoo News UK

Major search fails to discover the identity of man found dead in Kent field next to a suitcase and wedding catalogue
‘I’m disgusted with myself’: Man who left angry note on ambulance apologises after neighbour dies
Shocking moment driver abuses paramedic for blocking the street with her ambulance
Australian man dies after falling into wood chipper while clearing trees from a neighbour’s drive
Man who shared image of Muslim ‘ignoring Westminster terror victims’ was Russian troll

He told reporters before leaving: “We’ve had a tremendously successful trip. Tremendous amounts of work was done on trade.”

“We’ve made some very big steps with regard to trade – far bigger than anything you know,” he said, pointing to business deals forged between US and foreign companies.

He said he had made “many good friends” during the tour, which had been “very fruitful” for the US, and boasted of the reception he received.

“It was red carpet like nobody, I think, has probably ever received,” he said. “And that really is a sign of respect, perhaps for me a little, but really for our country. And I’m really proud of that.”

While in Asia, the president reignited his war of words with Kim Jong-un for calling him “old”, saying he would never call the North Korean leader “short and fat”.

“I try so hard to be his friend,” he said, “and maybe someday that will happen!”