President Donald Trump praised Republican Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley during a speech at the White House on Wednesday, saying the veteran politician made former FBI Director James Comey “choke like a dog” during his congressional testimony.

Trump made the comments prior to signing his new “Phase One” trade deal with China, which he says is a first step toward more open trade with the Chinese. Farmers in states like Iowa have been some of the hardest hit by tariffs in Trump’s trade war with China. (RELATED: U.S., China Take Another Step In Trade Talks, Chinese Official Says)

I will be signing our very large and comprehensive Phase One Trade Deal with China on January 15. The ceremony will take place at the White House. High level representatives of China will be present. At a later date I will be going to Beijing where talks will begin on Phase Two! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2019

The deal heralds a temporary end to the U.S.-China trade war, but it could ramp up again as leaders reconvene to negotiate phase two.

Comey gave a public congressional testimony regarding to origins of the Trump-Russia investigation in 2017. An inspector general report later found Comey had violated DOJ policies in his handling of the investigation.