Chicago Board of Trade corn futures slipped on Tuesday but finished 2019 with a 3.4% annual increase on hopes for growing Chinese demand, traders said.

US President Donald Trump said Phase 1 of a trade deal with China would be signed on Jan. 15 at the White House.

China has committed to buying more US farm products as part of the initial deal. Details have not been announced, though, leaving farmers and traders in the dark about what goods China will buy and when.