Donald all at sea over Chinese claim

DONALD Trump has touted his negotiating skills while inserting himself in a dispute among Asian nations over control of busy shipping channels in the South China Sea.

Speaking in Vietnam before arriving in the Philippines for the summit of Asian leaders, the US President said: “I know we’ve had a dispute for quite a while with China. If I can help in any way, I’m a very good mediator and a very good arbitrator. I have done plenty of it from both sides. So if I can help you, let me know.”

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte quickly shot down Mr Trump’s offer to help with the contested waterway.

“We have to be friends. The other hotheads would like us to confront China and the rest of the world on so many issues,” Mr Duterte said.

“The South China Sea is better left untouched, nobody can afford to go to war.”

PHOTO: ANDREW HARNIK/AP STRETCHED: US President Donald Trump, centre, seems to be grimacing in pain as he does the “ASEAN-way handshake” with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang, left, and Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte at the ASEAN Summit in Manila.