All eyes are on America today as Donald Trump counts down to his first State of the Union address

The US president's expected to talk about the economy and outline his legislative agenda in the annual message for Americans after his first year in office.

USA Today political correspondent Paul Singer told Kate Hawkesby White House staff will be hoping the President sticks to the script.

"He's going to start talking about immigration, he's going to start talking about what we're going to do building a wall on the US-Mexican border. These are going to be far less uniting topics."

Singer said the President's likely to take credit for the state of the US economy, which he said is doing very well.

"That doesn't get to the question of whether or not poor or middle class
folks are really seeing their wages rise, but I think President Trump is going to say America's open for business and we're doing great."

Democratic lawmakers plan to boycott the speech, while others will attend with 'Dreamers', immigrants that Trump has tried to have deported, as their guests.

Female lawmakers are also being urged to wear black in support of the #MeToo movement.

The speech is set to begin around 3 pm New Zealand time. 

LISTEN TO PAUL SINGER TALK WITH KATE HAWKESBY ABOVE