US debt talks aim for at least US$3 trln deal, sources say

US President Barack Obama and congressional leaders are aiming for at least US$3 trillion and possibly more than US$4 trillion in budget savings after a White House meeting today, Democratic aides said.

Presented with three possible targets -- roughly US$2 trillion, US$3 trillion or more than US$4 trillion in savings over 10 years -- all the participants agreed to one of the two higher figures, the aides said.

A follow-up meeting on Sunday will tackle the more difficult question of how those savings can be achieved, the aides said.