Audio By Carbonatix
Donald Trump has rejected suggestions that the warming of relations between China, Russia and their allies poses a challenge to the US on the global stage.
The US president told reporters in the Oval Office that he had "a good relationship" with President Xi Jinping and that China "needs us more than we need them".
It comes as Xi prepares to host world leaders at a "Victory Day" parade in Beijing on Wednesday - a showcase of China's military might.
Xi will be joined by North Korea's Kim Jong Un and Russia's Vladimir Putin, viewed by some observers as a message to the Western nations that have shunned them.
China has sought to position itself as a possible counterweight to the US since Trump's tariffs rocked the global economic and political order.
Trump has pitched his tariffs as essential to protecting American interests and industry. It appears that any diplomatic cost is something he is willing to pay.
Asked by the BBC if he believed Beijing and its allies were attempting to form an international coalition to oppose the US, Trump said: "No. Not at all. China needs us."
He added: "I have a very good relationship with President Xi, as you know. But China needs us much more than we need them. I don't see that at all."
Separately, in a radio interview on Tuesday, Trump said he was not concerned about the axis forming between Russia and China.
He told the Scott Jennings radio show that America has "the most powerful military forces in the world" and that "they would never use their military forces against us".
"Believe me, that would be the worst thing they could ever do," he said.
Elsewhere in the interview, Trump said he was "very disappointed" in Putin, after they failed to reach a peace deal for Ukraine during their meeting in Alaska last month.
"I'm very disappointed in President Putin, I can say that," Trump said, adding that the US "will be doing something to help people live" in Ukraine. He did not specify.
China has not criticised Putin's full-scale invasion and has been accused by the West of aiding Russia's war effort through its supply of dual-use materials and purchases of Russian oil. Beijing denies this.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia was engaged in a new troop buildup along certain sectors of the frontline.
"[Putin] refuses to be forced into peace," Zelensky said in his nightly video address.
Latest Stories
-
Oppong Nkrumah delivers on education; hands over 9th school to constituents in nine years
23 minutes -
Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos bets on local power as grid falters
34 minutes -
Kim Jong Un praises troops who ‘self-blasted’ to avoid capture by Ukraine
44 minutes -
Banking sector rebounds as assets hit GH¢465bn – BoG Report
53 minutes -
Al Fayed survivor was modern slavery victim, says Home Office
1 hour -
US not funding Congo’s $100m mine guard, embassy says
1 hour -
GFA to receive $2.5m from FIFA to prepare for World Cup and $10m for qualifying for tournament
1 hour -
Fuel prices dip from May 1 as diesel drops sharply, LPG set to surge
2 hours -
Say it as it is – Clergy reject pressure to stay quiet on politics
2 hours -
We’re citizens, not spectators – Christian Council defends speaking truth to power
2 hours -
My wife never caught me cheating – Richard Quaye dismisses viral infidelity claims
2 hours -
We won’t be silent – Christian Council defends right to speak on national issues
3 hours -
They couldn’t get me, so they used my wife – RNAQ alleges external plot to destroy marriage
3 hours -
US regulator to review Disney broadcast licences after Jimmy Kimmel joke about Melania Trump
4 hours -
James Comey charged with threatening Trump’s life in Instagram post
4 hours