Since the U.S.-China trade war began last year, U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff strategy has evoked much opposition and many complaints from within the United States. On Wednesday, 100 leading China experts, the majority of whom are from the U.S., published an open letter in the Washington Post urging Trump and the U.S. congress not to treat China as an enemy.

The letter provides seven propositions that represent the experts' collective views on China. Its writers, hailing from some of the world's most highly-regarded education institutions and think tanks, explain how treating China as an enemy will damage the United States' international role and reputation, and even undermine the economic interests of all nations.

The letter, written by five experts and signed off by 95 leading figures with China-focused expertise, begins by expressing deep concerns "about the growing deterioration in U.S. relations with China," which does not serve American or global interests.

"Although we are very troubled by Beijing's recent behavior, which requires a strong response, we also believe that many U.S. actions are contributing directly to the downward spiral in relations," the letter stresses.