SYDNEY, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Australian dollar is ending the week stronger against the greenback, which continued to weaken amid negative sentiment from a potential U.S. government shutdown over spending.

At the Asian open on Friday, the Aussie dollar was trading at 79.96 U.S. cents, up from 79.70 U.S. cents on Thursday.

In the , "many Republicans are opposed to adding provisions to a funding bill that extends a children's health program and gives protections to immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally as children," with a "partial shutdown" for the government from Friday midnight set if no deal is reached with U.S. Democrats, Westpac analysts Elliot Clarke and Richard Franulovich wrote in a morning note to investors.

The Aussie dollar also regained its pose from earlier pullbacks in Asia, with "earlier strong Australian jobs data and decent China Q4 " sustaining upbeat sentiment, they said.

The local currency "continues to trade on the front foot" against the greenback and "should continue to attract dip buyers."

At 09:18 (AEDT), the Australian dollar was buying 79.99 U.S. cents.