The letter was read at a recent meeting between President Trump and China's Vice Premier Liu He at the White House. Mr. Liu is in Washington trying to broker a deal that will ease trade tensions between the world's two largest economies.

In his letter, Mr. Xi said Sino-US relations are in a crucial period and he hopes both sides will continue to show mutual respect.

President Trump said he will soon meet President Xi to find a way to sign a comprehensive trade deal.

Mr. Trump twitted that meetings went well with good intent and spirit on both sides.

But no agreement will be nailed down until Trump and Xi Jinping meet. Trump noted that the two negotiation teams are working hard to complete their work before the US imposes tariffs on an additional 25% of Chinese goods early next month.