Turnbull to have US talks with Obama

Malcolm Turnbull and Barack Obama will talk global security when they meet at the White House.

Malcolm Turnbull (L) and Barack Obama will talk global security when they meet at the White House. (AAP)

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will hold talks with US President Barack Obama in Washington DC later this month.

Mr Obama, who is in his eighth and final year as president, caught Mr Turnbull off-guard in November when he issued a last-minute invitation to the White House on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Manila.

The visit on January 18 and 19 will focus on global security as well as trade, investment and innovation.