Pence quashes Trump rift reports

US Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday dismissed reports of a rift with his boss President Donald Trump, saying the pair laughed about the suggestion in a phone call.

Following a New York Times report that suggested Trump was privately questioning the loyalty of his deputy, Pence told reporters in Port Moresby that they had still had a good rapport.

"I'm just tempted not to dignified it with a comment," he said after a pause, adding that the pair had spoken by phone and "it came up." "We had a good laugh," said Pence. "We've got a very strong relationship."