US President Donald Trump [Source: macleans]

US President Donald Trump has threatened to shut down the government over funding a US-Mexican border wall in budget talks with top Democrats.

In a heated exchange with Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, Mr Trump said he would be “proud” to shut down the government over border security.

Lawmakers face a partial government shutdown if a spending bill deal is not reached by later this month.

Democrats argue that the $5bn (£4bn) Mr Trump seeks is too high.

Mr Trump opened the Oval Office meeting calling it a “great honour” to have Mr Schumer and Mrs Pelosi present, in their first meeting since Democrats took control of the House of Representatives in the November mid-term elections.