Trump says 'big progress' made in talks on possible trade deal with China

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US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, DC.

• President Donald Trump says "big progress" is being made in talks between the US and China to head off further escalation in a yearlong trade war.
• Trump says Saturday that he had a "long and very good call" with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss the talks, less than a month after the two met in Argentina.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump says "big progress" is being made in talks between the US and China to head off further escalation in a yearlong trade war.

Trump says Saturday that he had a "long and very good call" with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss the talks, which stemmed from their sit-down early this month in Argentina.

Trump tweeted: "Deal is moving along very well. If made, it will be very comprehensive, covering all subjects, areas and points of dispute."

The US wants China to address intellectual property theft and other aggressive measures that have driven Beijing's efforts to supplant US technological dominance.

The leaders agreed on Dec. 1 to postpone more tariff hikes to allow for negotiations.