Washington (CNN) President Donald Trump on Sunday said Afghanistan "can't be a laboratory for terror" as discussions over a potential US withdrawal from the country persist after nearly 20 years at war.

"Look we're there for one reason, we don't want that to be a laboratory ... It can't be a laboratory for terror. And we've stopped that we have a very, very good view," he told reporters on the tarmac before departing from New Jersey as he headed back to Washington.

Trump's comments come after he met with top national security advisers last week at his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey, to review a US-Taliban peace plan that could end America's longest running war

"We're looking at Afghanistan. We're talking to Afghanistan, both the government and also talking to the Taliban, having very good discussions. We'll see what happens ... We'll decide whether or not we'll be staying longer or not," he said.

Critics say it could trigger a surrender for the US and a betrayal of the Afghan government. Trump said Sunday the US government has had "very good discussions" with both with the Afghan government and with the Taliban but the President is far from trusting of the group.

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