The White House has not denied US President Donald Trump labelled some countries "shitholes" during a meeting on immigration protections.

Key points: Mr Trump reportedly labelled some countries "shitholes"

Mr Trump reportedly labelled some countries "shitholes" The comments were made at a meeting to discuss protections for immigrants

The comments were made at a meeting to discuss protections for immigrants It's reported he then suggested the US bring in more people from countries like Norway

The Washington Post reported Mr Trump became frustrated after politicians floated reinstating protections for immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador and African countries as part of a bipartisan deal.

According to two people briefed on the meeting Mr Trump said:

"Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?"

It was reported he then suggested the US bring in more people from countries like Norway.

Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg met with Mr Trump in the Oval Office yesterday.

Mr Trump made the remark after Democratic Senator Richard Durbin told him that under the proposal, a lottery for visas would be ended.

Senator Durbin said in exchange, people from African countries that have benefited from that lottery would be given other access to visas.

Associated Press reports that the two people briefed on the meeting spoke on the condition of anonymity, because they were not authorised to discuss the Oval Office meeting.

Sorry, this video has expired White House says no deal reached on immigration

When asked about whether Mr Trump made the comments, White House spokesman Raj Shah neither confirmed nor denied the remarks.

"Certain Washington politicians choose to fight for foreign countries, but President Trump will always fight for the American people," he said.

"The President will only accept an immigration deal that adequately addresses the visa lottery system and chain migration, two programs that hurt our economy and allow terrorists into our country.

"Like other nations that have merit-based immigration, President Trump is fighting for permanent solutions that make our country stronger by welcoming those who can contribute to our society, grow our economy and assimilate into our great nation.

"He will always reject temporary, weak and dangerous stopgap measures that threaten the lives of hardworking Americans, and undercut immigrants who seek a better life in the United States through a legal pathway."

It follows a handful of inflammatory comments made by Mr Trump about other countries, including Australia.

Last February he slammed his country's refugee deal with Australia, calling it "dumb" and incorrectly calling refugees "illegal immigrants".

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In one of his first tweets of 2018, he lashed out at Pakistan saying the US had "foolishly" handed Pakistan more than $US33 billion in aid over the last 15 years while getting nothing in return.

Not long after, he went on to fuel tensions with North Korea saying his "nuclear button" was "much bigger and more powerful" than Kim Jong-un's.

African Union 'alarmed' by comments

The African Union said it was "frankly alarmed" by Mr Trump's statement.

"Given the historical reality of how many Africans arrived in the United States as slaves, this statement flies in the face of all accepted behaviour and practice," AU spokeswoman Ebba Kalondo said.

"This is particularly surprising as the United States of America remains a global example of how migration gave birth to a nation built on strong values of diversity and opportunity.

"We believe that a statement like this hurts our shared global values on diversity, human rights and reciprocal understanding."

AP