Story highlights "The call ended courteously," Turnbull said

The discussion was about an agreement to take 1,250 refugees from Australia

Washington (CNN) President Donald Trump on Thursday didn't appear to be in the mood to ease tensions with the Australian Prime Minister, even as his counterpart down under looked to move past a contentious phone call.

Less than an hour after White House press secretary Sean Spicer offered assurances the US would uphold a deal to take in 1,250 refugees from Australia, Trump continued to fume about the agreement, which had sparked the heated conversation with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull this weekend.

The President again cast doubt on whether the US would uphold the agreement, while Turnbull scrambled to reassure Australians that Trump had promised in their phone call to honor the agreement, negotiated by the Obama administration.

JUST WATCHED Trump had heated exchange with Australian PM Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Trump had heated exchange with Australian PM 02:38

"I just said, 'Why?'" I just wanted to ask a question," Trump said describing his call with Turnbull on Saturday, which had been scheduled for an hour but ended after 25 minutes when Trump became frustrated.

"I said, 'Why are we doing this?' So we'll see what happens, but the previous administration does something, you have to respect that. But you can also say, 'Why are we doing this?'" Trump continued.

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