Donald Trump’s provocative North Korea tweets follow fresh sanctions talk

DONALD Trump was “insulted” by North Korea calling him “old”. He took to Twitter to share his thoughts on Kim Jong-un.

Donald Trump said he would “NEVER” call the North Korean leader “fat” or “short”. Picture: Evan Vucci, Wong Maye-E/AP

US President Donald Trump has said he would never call Kim Jong-un “short and fat”, after months of trading personal insults and threats of war with the North Korean leader.

“Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me ‘old,’ when I would NEVER call him ‘short and fat?’ Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend — and maybe someday that will happen!” Trump tweeted from Hanoi, the latest leg on his marathon tour of Asia.

Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me "old," when I would NEVER call him "short and fat?" Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend - and maybe someday that will happen!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 12, 2017

Earlier in the day, the US President said Chinese leader Xi Jinping had agreed to toughen sanctions against North Korea over Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program.

“President Xi of China has stated that he is upping the sanctions against (North Korea),” Trump tweeted.

It’s been a busy day on Twitter for Trump who was earlier forced to defend his comments about Russia’s meddling — or lack of — during the 2016 election.

President Trump said “haters and fools” are questioning his efforts to improve relations with Moscow after he told reporters President Vladimir Putin denied playing any role in his election.

Trump did not make clear whether he believed Putin but did make clear that he did not want to revisit the issue.

When will all the haters and fools out there realize that having a good relationship with Russia is a good thing, not a bad thing. There always playing politics - bad for our country. I want to solve North Korea, Syria, Ukraine, terrorism, and Russia can greatly help!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 12, 2017

Trump has suggested that the ongoing probe into contacts between his campaign and the Russians was hurting the US relationship with Moscow and could hinder efforts to solve crises like Syria and North Korea.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said of Putin: “He said he absolutely did not meddle in our election. He did not do what they are saying he did.

“Every time he sees me, he said: ‘I didn’t do that.’ And I believe — I really believe — that when he tells me that, he means it,” Trump said.

— with AP.

Short and fat? Picture: The Sun