Dhaka, Feb. 4 -- US President Donald Trump will speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping as soon as this week, Trump's spokesperson said, setting up a major diplomatic exchange as the world's two largest economies seek a deal that could avert a broader trade war.

Trump on Saturday ordered sweeping tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada and China, as part of demands they stanch the flow of illegal fentanyl, a leading cause of drug overdoses in the United States.

Trump backed away from his threat to impose steep tariffs on Mexico and Canada on Monday, but US tariffs on China were still due to take effect within hours, reports Reuters.

The call will be Trump and Xi's first known talks since Trump took office on Jan. 20. They previously spoke...