PM: Trump threat not ‘helpful’

US President Donald Trump’s latest threat against North Korea has Prime Minister Bill English ‘‘worried’’ because his comments are ‘‘not helpful’’ in what is already a ‘‘very tense’’ situation.

English said Foreign Affairs Minister Gerry Brownlee was working with officials on ‘‘what to make of the comments’’ and what the implications might be.

Yesterday, Trump sent a warning that he would unleash ‘‘fire and fury’’ on North Korea if it threatened America again.

His comments came after North Korea made no secret of plans to develop a nuclear-tipped missile able to strike the United States.

English said everyone wants to avoid ‘‘military confrontation’’ and the path forward was for North Korea to comply with UN sanctions and for ‘‘international pressure to push them in that direction’’.

‘‘I think (Trump’s) comments are not helpful in an environment that’s very tense,’’ he said.

‘‘I think you’re seeing reaction from North Korea that indicates those kinds of comments are more likely to escalate than settle things.’’

English hasn’t expressed New Zealand’s concerns to American officials but would consider doing so if the ‘‘commentary continued’’.

The practicalities of passing on that message meant it hadn’t happened yet, he said.

Labour leader Jacinda Ardern was asked about Trump’s threats yesterday but said she hadn’t had a chance to catch up on international news because she was focussed on delivering the party’s freshwater policy.