Trump invites hardline Philippines president to White House

Politico - President Donald Trump on Saturday invited Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte to the White House.

Duterte has been criticized following an aggressive crackdown on drug users and dealers in the South-east Asian country, which human rights groups have said included the use of death squads.

Trump had praised Duterte's hardline stance on the campaign trail, after the Obama administration had condemned it.

Trump said the two countries are "now heading in a very positive direction," according to a White House readout of the call.

The two presidents discussed regional security threats such as North Korea. In addition, Trump and Duterte also discussed how the "Phillippine government is fighting very hard to rid its country of drugs."

Trump "enjoyed the conversation" and said that "he is looking forward to visiting the Philippines in November to participate in the East Asia Summit and the U.S.-ASEAN Summit."