Donald Trump has declared he will offer China a more favourable trade deal in exchange for Beijing's help in dealing with the nuclear threat from North Korea.

The US president said on Wednesday night he was confident Xi Jinping, the Chinese president would support America over Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions, but repeated that he was prepared to tackle the crisis alone if needed.

Tensions are escalating sharply over fears that North Korea may carry out another nuclear test on Saturday.

Washington has sent a navy strike group led by the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson to the region, joined by Japanese warships.

Mr Trump has described the force as an “armada”. The president also said that submarines were being sent which were “far more powerful than the aircraft carrier”.