Cui also exchanged views with Deputy Secretary Sullivan on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea nuclear issue, China-US cooperation and other issues, according to a statement from the Chinese embassy.

"Sullivan highlighted the importance of pursuing a constructive US-China relationship that produces meaningful results," US Secretary of State spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a statement.

On Wednesday, Cui published an op-ed article, warning the Trump administration that trade "bullying" will backfire and arguing that the United States' justification for a trade war is flawed.

"For great powers such as China and the US, competition — even conflict — is natural," Cui wrote in an opinion piece for USA Today. "It is, however, vital for us to manage such competition in an effective and constructive way."