WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump has said the United States and China were very close to a trade deal, media reports said.

He said it could be announced within four weeks, however, warning Beijing that it would not be easy to allow trade to continue without a deal.

The U.S. and China are currently engaged in intense negotiations to end a months-long trade war.

Hopes of a resolution got high after both countries expressed optimism after talks in Beijing last week.

“We’re very close to making a deal. This, however, doesn’t mean a deal is made,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. (Agencies)