New US-China trade deal hailed as 'herculean accomplishment'

US commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has described a new trade deal between the USA and China as a 'herculean accomplishment' in the latest example of improving relations between the superpowers.

Washington and Beijing announced plans to expand trade in their beef and poultry industries, as well as increased cooperation between financial firms within the two states.

The trade deal marks a stark contrast to the rhetoric of President Donald Trump during the campaign trail last year, where he repeatedly lambasted China for unfair trading practices.

Ross described the trade deal as marking a new high in the relations between the US and China.

"US-China relationships are now hitting a new high, especially in trade," Ross said.

Ross described the trade deal as marking a new high in the relations

"This was pretty much a herculean accomplishment to get this done," he added. "This is more than has been done in the whole history of US-China relations on trade."

The agreement will see China allowing US beef imports, while Beijing will be permitted to import cooked poultry products.

It also includes a provision to allow US card payment services such as Visa and Mastercard to begin operating in China, which until now has been dominated by the Chinese-owned UnionPay system.

Trump met with Chinese premier Xi Jinping at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida in order to discuss the potential of increased cooperation between the two countries, with the President describing Xi as a "very good man".