Manila stop unsure as Trump goes on Asian trip in November

MANILA, Philippines — US Vice President Mike Pence earlier announced that President Donald Trump would attend the ASEAN Summit in Manila but the US president has not yet personally confirmed his attendance.

In an interview with reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump acknowledged that President Rodrigo Duterte had invited him to attend the meetings in Manila later this year.

"He invited us, so we're going to see," Trump said.

READ: Pence says Trump to attend ASEAN summit in November

Trump has announced that he intends to visit China, Japan and South Korea later this year.

The American president added that he might attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit meeting in Vietnam.

Last May, Trump called Duterte to discuss regional security issues including the threat posed by tensions in the Korean Peninsula.

Trump had also invited Duterte to the White House following their "very friendly" phone conversation.

The US President's invitation for Duterte was met with disapproval as Trump breached diplomatic protocol as he did not inform the Department of State about it beforehand.

RELATED: Trump's White House invite to Duterte met with disapproval

Duterte, who often makes comments critical of the US, has since said that "there will never be a time during my administration that I'll be going to America or thereafter."

He said: "I've seen America and it's lousy."