Productive meeting held on border security, says Trump

United States President Donald Trump said a "productive meeting" was held between Vice President Mike Pence and congressional staff, during which a number of issues related to border security, as the government remains shut for the 16th day in a row.

"V.P. Mike Pence and group had a productive meeting with the Schumer/Pelosi representatives today. Many details of Border Security were discussed. We are now planning a Steel Barrier rather than concrete. It is both stronger & less obtrusive. Good solution, and made in the U.S.A," Trump tweeted.

Earlier, the US President had said he might impose a national emergency in the country if talks between him and his Senate officials remain stalled over the border wall funding issue in the House.

CNN quoted a White House official as saying that the imposition of national emergency can "provide a way out" to resume talks between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials and the House Democrats following the riff over the construction of a wall on the US' border with Mexico despite a partial government shutdown over funding for the proposal.

The stalemate between the White House and lawmakers was triggered over Trump's demand for billions of dollars to fund his proposed US-Mexico border wall.