After a series of fraught phone calls between the US president and other world leaders, the White House has revealed that Donald Trump has opted to exchange letters with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In an announcement made on Wednesday evening, the White House press secretary said Mr Trump had thanked the Chinese leader for a congratulatory letter following his inauguration and said he “looks forward to working with President Xi to develop a constructive relationship that benefits both the United States and China.”

The letter as described would mark a change in tone for Mr Trump, who relentlessly criticised China during his campaign and has promised to label the country a currency manipulator, asserting that Beijing has devalued its currency to gain an unfair advantage in exports over the US.