Trump thanks Duterte for his hospitality

US President Donald Trump is winding down his lengthy Asia trip with an international summit and a trio of meetings with Pacific Rim allies, including his host in the Philippines who is overseeing a drug war.

Trump, in Manila, attended the opening ceremonies of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations conference, which began with pageantry, including a group photo of the leaders and the summit's traditional handshake. That cross-body shake, during which each leader shakes the opposite hands of those next to him, briefly baffled Trump, who then laughed as he figured out where to place his arms.

One of the leaders on his flank: with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who has overseen a bloody drug war that has featured extrajudicial killings. The two men are also slated to hold longer, formal talks later Monday and White House aides signaled that Trump is not expected to publicly bring up human rights in their discussions.

Trump will also meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, which plays a key role in the US vision of an Indo-Pacific region that attempts to de-emphasise China's influence. And he will meet with Australian Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull, with whom he had a contentious phone call this spring.

Trump's discussions will largely center on trade and North Korea but he remains dogged by things he has said, and not said, about Russia.

He tried to have it both ways on the issue of Russian interference in last year's presidential race, saying he believes both the US intelligence agencies when they say Russia meddled and Putin's sincerity in claiming that his country did not.

The Latest on Donald Trump's visit to Asia (all times local):

3:35pm

President Donald Trump is again thanking the president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte (doo-TEHR'-tay), for hosting world leaders at the annual Asean summit.

Trump tells the leaders of member nations gathered in Manila that he's "here to advance peace, to promote security and to work with you to achieve a truly free and open Indo-Pacific."

Trump says Duterte provided "incredible hospitality" to the leaders during their visit, including entertainment at a dinner Sunday night that reportedly featured Duterte singing Trump a song.

Trump is also once again touting U.S. economic gains since the election, saying the country has been moving ahead "brilliantly."

After Trump's remarks, Duterte instructed "the media to leave us alone."

1:25pm

Trump is ignoring questions about human rights abuses as he meets with the president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte (doo-TEHR'-tay), on the sidelines of an international summit in Manila.

Trump says he and Duterte have "had a great relationship." He's also applauding the Philippines' on their staging of the conference.

Trump says he enjoyed the event's opening dinner and says, "We very much appreciated the great treatment you've given."

Duterte has come under fierce criticism from human rights groups for overseeing a violent drug war complete with extrajudicial killings.

Trump has previously praised Duterte's handling of his nation's drug problems.

Trump did not respond to shouted questions about whether he'd raise the issue. Duterte says their bilateral meeting is not a press conference.

11:50 am

President Donald Trump says he'll be delivering a "major statement" when he's back in Washington to discuss what he's accomplished on his big Asia trip.

Trump says during a meeting with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Malcolm Turnbull, the prime minister of Australia that "it will be a very complete statement as to trade, as to North Korea, as to a lot of other things."

He says, "We've made some very big steps with regard to trade-far bigger than anything you know," in addition to business deals forged between US and foreign companies.

"Except us," Turnbull chimed in.

Trump says the three leaders will be talking about North Korea, trade and other subjects.

He says he'll wait to Wednesday to give the reporters traveling with him time to sleep.

Trump will also be having an informal dinner later Monday with Turnbull.

9:00am

Donald Trump is winding down his lengthy Asia trip with trio of meetings with Pacific Rim allies, including his host in the Philippines who is overseeing a bloody drug war.

Trump on Monday attended the opening ceremonies of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations conference in Manila. The event opened with pageantry, including a group photo of the leaders and the summit's traditional handshake. That cross-body shake, during which each leader shakes the opposite hands of those next to him, briefly baffled Trump, who then laughed as he figured out where to place his arms.

One of the leaders on his flank was Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who has overseen a drug war that has featured extrajudicial killings. Trump also is scheduled to meet with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

4:05am

A day after being criticised by President Donald Trump, a former CIA director questioned whether Russian President Vladimir Putin was manipulating Trump with flattery during the president's lengthy trip to Asia.

Trump's trip is meant to be centered on trade and North Korea, and on Monday he is set to talk with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (doo-TEHR'-tay). But Trump remains dogged by things he has said, and not said, about Russia.

John Brennan said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union" that Trump is trying to "delegitimise" the US intelligence community's assessment that Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election to help Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Brennan says Putin is "very clever in terms of playing to Mr. Trump's interest in being flattered." He says it demonstrates that Trump "can be played by foreign leaders."
Monday

12:25am

President Donald Trump's lengthy Asia trip is winding down as it began, with a visit meant to be centered on trade and North Korea shadowed by questions about Russia.

Trump was in the Philippines on Monday and remains dogged by things he has said, and has not said, about Russia.

On Saturday, he dismissed the former US intelligence officials who said Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential elections as "political hacks."

On Sunday, he tried to have it both ways, saying he believes both the US intelligence agencies when they say Russia meddled and Russian President Vladimir Putin's sincerity in claiming that his country did not.

Former CIA director John Brennan said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union" that Trump is trying to "delegitimize" the intelligence community's assessment.

8:10 pm Sunday

President Donald Trump is attending a gala in the Philippines celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (doo-TEHR'-tay) greeted Trump and other leaders one by one as they arrived at a convention center in Manila for the glitzy event.

Trump and Duterte shook hands twice and exchanged pleasantries before the leaders posed for a group photo and everyone filed into dinner.

Trump joined his fellow leaders in wearing Philippine formal attire - the Barong Tagalog, or long-sleeved white shirt.

Duterte sat to Trump's left at dinner and they engaged in conversation before the first course was served.

Trump and Duterte will hold more formal talks on Monday

5:50pm

President Donald Trump has arrived in the Philippines to attend a pair of international summits and close his five-country tour of Asia.

Trump is slated to meet several times with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (doo-TEHR'-tay). Duterte has come under intense criticism from human rights advocates for overseeing a violent drug crackdown that includes extrajudicial killings. Trump has previously praised Duterte's handling of his nation's drug problems.

Trump was originally scheduled to depart Manila on Monday but he added a day to the visit so he could more fully participate in one of the summits.

He arrived in Manila on Sunday after a brief stop in Vietnam.

Source: Khaleej Times