Donald Trump has said he is “most excited” about China reportedly deciding to execute drug dealers who peddle fentanyl, as part of a proposed trade deal with the US.

“President Xi has agreed to put fentanyl on his list of deadly, deadly drugs and it’s a criminal penalty, and the penalty is death,” the US president told reporters outside the White House.

“So that’s frankly one of the things I’m most excited about in our trade deal. If you wanna know the truth, I think there’s no more important point.”

The revelation came during a statement in the Rose Garden intended to announce his controversial decision to enact emergency powers to fund a border wall.

In a speech that frequently veered far off topic, the US president said during a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping that he raised the issue of “tremendous amounts” of the opioid fentanyl “coming into our country”.

He claimed he told Mr Xi, ”I’d love you to declare it a lethal drug, and put it on your criminal list”, which he said would mean “a thing called the death penalty” for offenders.

Appearing to briefly impersonate Mr Xi, Mr Trump claimed the Chinese premier said China had no problem, and that he said it was because of the “death penalty. We give death penalty to people that sell drugs”.

The alleged agreement over fentanyl was, Mr Trump said, part of ongoing trade deal discussions which Mr Trump said may be extended beyond its 1 March deadline.

Trump Texas rally: Lies, executing babies and attacks on BBC cameramen Show all 20 1 /20 Trump Texas rally: Lies, executing babies and attacks on BBC cameramen Trump Texas rally: Lies, executing babies and attacks on BBC cameramen Supporters yell as protesters are removed at Trump rally in Texas on February 11 Getty Trump Texas rally: Lies, executing babies and attacks on BBC cameramen A supporter dressed as a border wall before the rally Reuters Trump Texas rally: Lies, executing babies and attacks on BBC cameramen A man is restrained after assaulting members of the media including a BBC cameraman at the rally AP Trump Texas rally: Lies, executing babies and attacks on BBC cameramen President Trump arrives for a rally in El Paso AFP/Getty Trump Texas rally: Lies, executing babies and attacks on BBC cameramen Trump supporters react as a couple are escorted from their seats Reuters Trump Texas rally: Lies, executing babies and attacks on BBC cameramen A supporter shows off a Trump doll while waiting for the rally Reuters Trump Texas rally: Lies, executing babies and attacks on BBC cameramen Linda Padilla Dewiler, originally from Mexico, poses with a sign as Trump supporters gather to attend his rally AFP/Getty Trump Texas rally: Lies, executing babies and attacks on BBC cameramen A supporter sports political badges on his cap Reuters Trump Texas rally: Lies, executing babies and attacks on BBC cameramen Supporters hold signs, one holds an Israel flag, as they cheer for the president AFP/Getty Trump Texas rally: Lies, executing babies and attacks on BBC cameramen President Trump addresses the rally AP Trump Texas rally: Lies, executing babies and attacks on BBC cameramen President Trump addresses the rally in front of a large "FINISH THE WALL" banner AP Trump Texas rally: Lies, executing babies and attacks on BBC cameramen President Trump addresses the rally as supporters hold pro-border wall signs Getty Trump Texas rally: Lies, executing babies and attacks on BBC cameramen President Trump addresses the rally as supporters hold pro-border wall signs AP Trump Texas rally: Lies, executing babies and attacks on BBC cameramen Supporters cheer at the rally AFP/Getty Trump Texas rally: Lies, executing babies and attacks on BBC cameramen Supporters cheer during the rally AP Trump Texas rally: Lies, executing babies and attacks on BBC cameramen Supporters cheer at the rally AFP/Getty Trump Texas rally: Lies, executing babies and attacks on BBC cameramen Supporters cheer at the rally AFP/Getty Trump Texas rally: Lies, executing babies and attacks on BBC cameramen Supporters cheer the president AFP/Getty Trump Texas rally: Lies, executing babies and attacks on BBC cameramen Supporters cheer the president AFP/Getty Trump Texas rally: Lies, executing babies and attacks on BBC cameramen Supporters wait for the president to arrive at the rally Getty

Amid his comments about the Chinese death penalty, the US president announced a series of executive actions along the US-Mexico border, including declaring a national emergency.

Mr Trump said he would at the same time sign a federal funding bill to avoid another government shutdown, which was approved by Congress on Thursday.

Donald Trump sings his way through speech on topic of losing national emergency argument in the lower courts