China denounced Donald Trump as “irresponsible and absurd” yesterday after he blamed it for the breakdown in negotiations with North Korea over the rogue state’s nuclear missiles.

On Wednesday Mr Trump praised Kim Jong-un while making implicit threats about increasing the military presence in South Korea. He described President Xi as a “great” leader but accused China of violating international sanctions imposed on North Korea as a punishment for its nuclear programme.

“We also know that China is providing North Korea with considerable aid, including money, fuel, fertiliser and various other commodities,” Mr Trump tweeted. Hua Chunying, the Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman, said: “A lot of people, like me, feel that the US is first in the world when it comes to twisting the truth,