Donald Trump called North Korean leader Kim Jong-un a “madman with nuclear weapons” in a phone call with President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines.

A transcript of the controversial phone call, obtained by multiple news outlets, suggests the two leaders spoke extensively about North Korea and the possibility of a nuclear attack.

“We can’t let a madman with nuclear weapons on the loose like that. We have a lot of firepower, more than he has, times 20 — but we don’t want to use it,” Mr Trump said at one point.

Mr Duterte, who has been condemned by human rights groups for promoting violence in the name of public safety, called Mr Kim “unstable”, and warned that he has “a dangerous toy in his hands which could create so much agony and suffering for all of mankind”.

The President added that the Philippines are increasingly fearful of the leader, as they are “in striking distance” of his rockets.

Mr Trump responded by bragging about America’s “firepower,” telling Mr Duterte, “We have two submarines – the best in the world”.

Both men agreed that China had an important role to play in the situation.

Mr Trump had previously said he would be “honoured” to meet Mr Jong-un, under the right circumstances.

The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Show all 9 1 /9 The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte On killing drug addicts “These sons of whores are destroying our children. I warn you, don’t go into that, even if you’re a policeman, because I will really kill you. If you know of any addicts, go ahead and kill them yourself as getting their parents to do it would be too painful” The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Message to China “I will go there on my own with a Jet Ski, bringing along with me a [Phillipino] flag and a pole, and once I disembark, I will plant the flag on the runway and tell the Chinese authorities, ‘Kill me’ ” AP The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Christmas message to law-breakers “If you do not want to stop, and just continue committing crimes, then this would be your last Merry Christmas” AP The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte On sex life “I was separated from my wife. I’m not impotent. What am I supposed to do? Let this hang forever? When I take Viagra, it stands up” AFP/Getty Images The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte On the drugs trade “None of my children are into illegal drugs. But my order is, even if it is a member of my family, ‘kill him'" AP The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Insulting the Pope “We were affected by the traffic. It took us five hours. I asked why, they said it was closed. I asked who is coming. They answered, the pope. I wanted to call him: ‘Pope, son of a wh**e, go home. Do not visit us again’” AFP/Getty Images The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Joke about rape “I saw her face and I thought, 'What a pity... they raped her, they all lined up. I was mad she was raped but she was so beautiful. I thought, the mayor should have been first” AFP/Getty The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Insulting Barack Obama "Mr Obama should be respectful and refrain from throwing questions at me about the killings, or son of a bitch, I will swear at you in that forum" REUTERS The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte On Abu Sayyaf Islamic militants "If I have to face them, you know I can eat humans. I will really open up your body. Just give me vinegar and salt, and I will eat you. If you annoy me to the fullest... I will eat you alive. Raw" EPA

“If it would be appropriate for me to meet with him, I would absolutely, I would be honoured to do it,” he told Bloomberg News.

US defence intelligence officers have declined to estimate when North Korea could develop a missile capable of reaching the US, but Defence Intelligence Agency Director Vincent Stewart on Tuesday called the possibility “inevitable".

"If left on its current trajectory the regime will ultimately succeed in fielding a nuclear-armed missile capable of threatening the United States homeland," Mr Stewart said.

Senior Trump administration officials told The Washington Post that the US President's call with Mr Duterte was his attempt at “rallying as much support as he can on North Korea”.

“Regional support is extremely meaningful. This is how he’s trying to proactively manage a very difficult situation,” the official said.

The call nonetheless drew criticism, with some accusing Mr Duterte of being responsible for the deaths of thousands in the country's “war on drugs”. Human Rights Watch has accused Philippine police of falsifying evidence to justify more than 7,000 killings in the drug crackdown.

Mr Duterte, who previously promised to “kill all” the country’s criminals, claims these killings were carried out by lawless vigilantes.

According to the call transcript, Mr Trump praised the country’s war on drugs, calling it an “unbelievable job”.

“Many countries have the problem, we have a problem, but what a great job you are doing and I just wanted to call and tell you that,” Mr Trump said, adding that former President Barack Obama “did not understand that, but I understand that and we have spoken about this before”.