What they said at CGCC New Year gala

"I think there is an acknowledgement of the importance of these two economies in both countries and around the world," said Steve Howe, EY US chairman, on Wednesday during the China General Chamber of Commerce-USA (CGCC)'s New Year's gala in New York.

"There are increased opportunities also for trade, and I think this trend will continue," Howe said.

"China plays a crucial role in today's transformative age," he added. "We all see massive opportunities through collaboration between the US and China - the world's two largest economies."

"Every day we continue to see growing interest in doing business between the two countries," said Thierry Roland, CEO of HSBC Global Banking and Markets.

"Relations between China and the US are the most important relations in today's world," said Chen Feng, co-founder and chairman of HNA group. "The leaders of our two nations will continue to enhance our cooperation and devotion to the world's development."

"I had the chance to be there to hear our two presidents' meeting in November (in Beijing), and they both were very constructive and focused on how to continue to enhance the overall bilateral relationship and understand the role of trade and cooperative partnerships," said Marc Allen, president of Boeing International. "This gives all of us a sense of confidence that the two administrations will keep working together."

"I believe the [US] Department of Commerce and the Trump administration as a whole is very interested in doing business with China, and China is very interested in that too," said Fred Wacker, vice-president of the Montana Stockgrowers Association, which just signed a $200 million beef deal with Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com.

"So, we are going to operate under that [assumption] and let the politicians take care of the politician problems."