US President Donald Trump further hardened his rhetoric towards China, saying he no longer wishes to speak with Xi Jinping and warning darkly he might cut ties over the rival superpower's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, AFP reported.

“I have a very good relationship [with Xi], but I just — right now I don't want to speak to him,” Trump told Fox Business. “I'm very disappointed in China. I will tell you that right now,” he said.

Asked how the United States might choose to retaliate, Trump gave no specifics but struck a threatening tone, saying: “There are many things we could do. We could do things. We could cut off the whole relationship.”