Washington, Dec 28 (TIWN) After much delay, US President Donald Trump has finally signed a massive $2.3 trillion government funding and coronavirus relief package, the White House announced, averting a shutdown of the federal government and delivering a much-needed economic aid amid worsening pandemic situation in the world's hardest hit country.

Trump, who leaves office on Jan. 20 after losing November's election, backed down from his threat to block the bill, which was approved Congress last week, after he came under intense pressure from lawmakers on both sides.  The Republican president, who golfed on Sunday and remained out of public view even as the potential government shutdown loomed, had demanded that Congress change the bill to increase the size of stimulus checks for struggling Americans to $2,000 from $600.  It was not immediately clear why Trump changed his mind as his resistance to the massive legislative package promised a chaotic final stretch of his presidency.