Motorcade incident: Protester arrested and agent injured after crossing police border near White House

The motorcade was carrying the Chinese delegation after meetings in the White House to discuss ongoing trade disputes

(AFP/Getty Images)

One person has been arrested after an incident involving a motorcade carrying Chinese officials outside the White House, according to reports.

Secret Service says the individual, a protester, crossed police barricades on Wednesday and assaulted an agent or officer, causing leg injuries.

The motorcade was carrying Chinese officials who had been visiting the White House for meetings with top White House trade negotiator Robert Lighthizer regarding ongoing trade issues.

An official statement from the Secret Service said the incident occurred just before 1pm local time.

Photos showed the streets nearby blocked off, as emergency workers responded to the incident.

Vice Premier Liu He, the lead negotiator with the delegation holding talks on Wednesday, was reportedly inside the motorcade.

The US and China have had ongoing trade disputes since Donald Trump became president, with tariffs being imposed on imports by both countries.

Mr Trump announced last month that he would hold back on imposing more tariffs to give negotiators time to work out a deal in the beginning months of 2019.