Trump storms out of talks on shutdown, bemoans 'total waste of time'

US President Donald Trump stormed out of talks with Democratic congressional leaders on Wednesday over funding for a border wall with Mexico and reopening the government, complaining the meeting at the White House was "a total waste of time".

On the 19th day of a partial government shutdown caused by the dispute over the wall, a short meeting that included Trump, House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer ended in acrimony with no sign of a resolution.

"Just left a meeting with Chuck and Nancy, a total waste of time", Trump wrote on Twitter. "I asked what is going to happen in 30 days if I quickly open things up, are you going to approve Border Security which includes a Wall or Steel Barrier?" Trump wrote. "Nancy said, NO. I said bye-bye, nothing else works!"

Exasperated Democrats called Trump's behaviour a 'temper tantrum' and said the meeting broke down when they refused to commit to funding his proposed southern border wall. Trump's desire for a wall between the United States and Mexico was a central theme of his 2016 presidential campaign.