President Trump said he has a "great relationship" with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, a controversial leader accused of human rights violations and who is overseeing a bloody drugs war.
Trump's comments came as he prepared to wrap up his 12-day trip to Asia on Monday by attending an economic conference in the Philippines, including a meeting with Duterte that touched only briefly on human rights.
The two leaders focused on fighting the Islamic State, drug trafficking, and trade issues, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said, adding: "Human rights briefly came up in the context of the Philippines’ fight against illegal drugs."
Trump did not say publicly whether he would bring up the series of extra-judicial killings that have marked the Philippines' war on drugs, instead telling Duterte in remarks to reporters that "we've had a great relationship" and "this has been very successful."
Duterte, who has bragged about personally killing people as part of his anti-drug effort, returned the pleasantries, telling Trump he was looking forward to discussing issues of mutual concern.
In addition to Duterte and other meetings at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, Trump teased the approaching end of his trip by telling reporters he would have a "major announcement" Wednesday back at the White House on the two issues that topped the Asia agenda: trade and North Korea.
"We've made some very big steps with respect to trade, far bigger than anything you know, in addition to about $300 billion in additional sales to various companies, including China," Trump said during a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
When reporters at the Duterte meeting asked Trump if he raised human rights issues behind closed doors, the Philippines president shut them down by saying it was not a news conference.
Duterte also described reporters as "spies," drawing a laugh from Trump.
Human rights groups have assailed Duterte for his administration of the Philippines and implementing a war on drugs that includes extrajudicial killings, some of which Duterte has claimed to have participated in.
At a summit session later, Trump praised "Rodrigo" for his role in chairing ASEAN meetings, and for his "incredible hospitality" in general.
“And the show last night ... the talent at that show, I assume mostly from the Philippines, was fantastic," Trump said. "And you were fantastic – also very much from the Philippines. We couldn’t tell the difference.”
After thanking Trump, Duterte said, "this signifies the end of our open session. I would like to request media to leave us alone.”
Hours before his scheduled bilateral meeting with Duterte, Trump also participated in a photo opportunity with the Philippine leader in his role as host of the ASEAN summit.
As an orchestra played a stately processional in a Manila auditorium, the ASEAN delegates lined up for a special group handshake, with Trump standing next to Duterte. Trump appeared to have some difficulty figuring out how to do the crossed-arm maneuver. Soon, he caught on.