TheCable

US President Donald Trump called North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un a “madman with nuclear weapons”.

The American president said this during a telephone call with Rodrigo Duterte, his Philippine counterpart.

A transcript of the conversation was released by the US media.

“We can’t let a madman with nuclear weapons let on the loose like that,” he said.

“We have a lot of firepower, more than he has, times 20 — but we don’t want to use it,” he added, citing “two nuclear submarines” the Pentagon sent to the area last month.

A White House readout of the call made on April 29 had described it as a “very friendly conversation”.

But the conversation, which was released by The Washington Post and The Intercept, was transcribed by the Philippine government.

Trump was reported to have also queried Duterte about whether he believed Kim was “stable or not stable,” with the Philippine leader responding that their North Korean counterpart’s “mind is not working and he might just go crazy one moment”.

“Kim has a dangerous toy in his hands that could create so much agony and suffering for all mankind,” he added.

Trump, however, appeared reassured that North Korea’s recent missile tests had failed. “All his rockets are crashing. That’s the good news,” he added.

Trump was also quoted to have pressed Duterte to call Chinese President Xi Jinping to exert pressure over the country’s ability to counter the nuclear threat.

“I hope China solves the problem. They really have the means because a great degree of their stuff come through China,” Trump said, adding, “but if China doesn’t do it, we will do it.”

Duterte reportedly agreed, saying that “at the end of the day, the last card, the ace, has to be with China”.

He, however, added that “the other option is a nuclear blast, which is not good for everybody”.

On ending the call, Trump was quoted to have invited Duterte to visit the White House “anytime you want to come,” calling him a “good man”.

“Seriously, if you want to come over, just let us know. Just take care of yourself, and we will take care of North Korea,” he added.