Trump says deal with China will be signed within days after gruelling trade war

The president has spent more than a year trying to negotiate the deal, and will likely present it as a signature achievement in an election year

President Donald Trump speaks during the Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration in the East Room of the White House (Getty)

Donald Trump says he will sign a trade deal between the US and China within days at a White House ceremony.

He announced the phase one agreement on Twitter on Tuesday, with high-level Chinese officials heading to Washington for the January 15 event.

Mr Trump said he would travel to Beijing at a later date to discuss a second trade deal which would address issues not included in this agreement.

Mr Trump told reporters in October that a deal had been agreed in principle, dealing with agricultural purchased and limited intellectual property issues.

But uncertainty grew as several weeks passed without confirmation. When a signing ceremony planned for November in Chile fell through, the agreement was left in limbo.

Earlier this month, both sides said a pact had been reached to reduce tariffs and increase Chinese purchases of US agricultural products.

The president has spent more than a year trying to negotiate the deal, and he will present it as a signature achievement in an election year.

It could potentially help the economy going into the November election.

Earlier this month, the House passed a bill to implement the president's trade deal with Canada and Mexico.