WASHINGTON (AFP) - Republican House Speaker John Boehner left talks with US President Barack Obama on Wednesday complaining that Democrats will not negotiate to end a government shutdown.

The talks at the White House grouping top Democratic and Republicans leaders appeared to make little obvious progress in ending the shutdown, which will grind into a third day on Thursday.

"The President reiterated one more time that he will not negotiate," Mr Boehner said.

Moments later, Senate Democratic Majority leader Harry Reid left the White House talks, which lasted just over an hour, complaining Mr Boehner would not shift his insistence on using the budget crisis to try to dismantle or gut Mr Obama's signature healthcare law.

"We are locked in tight on Obamacare," Mr Reid said.