Governors and deputies from around the U.S. have gathered in the state of Kentucky to meet with leaders from four Chinese provinces. The goal of the three-day summit is to strengthen ties between states and provinces despite the current trade troubles between the two countries. Mike Walter is in Lexington, Kentucky with more.

It's more than 860 kilometers away from Washington DC and a world away from Beijing here in the east central U.S. state of Kentucky. It's easy to find tranquility and optimism even during a time of trade tensions. That was the theme in the city of Lexington as governors and leaders gathered for the U.S.-China Governors Collaboration Summit. The Chinese ambassador to the U.S. set the tone with his opening comments.

CUI TIANKAI CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO US "Given the current circumstances, it is more important than ever that subnational representatives of China and the United States gather to explore how to advance cooperation, and identify win-win opportunities that benefit us all."

The Kentucky governor said things will eventually get worked out. He shared an anecdote that caught many by surprise.

MATT BEVIN GOVERNOR OF KENTUCKY "I was driving yesterday evening, and I was speaking with President Trump. I told him I would be speaking to you all today. I asked him what he would want me to share. He said simply give them my love."

Bevin had words of encouragement from other elected officials.

MATT BEVIN GOVERNOR OF KENTUCKY "I speak for other governors and lieutenant governor's economic development teams. We are grateful to have you here. We need to have a strong partnership with the people of China."

There were a number of panel discussions focusing on how China and the U.S. could strengthen e-commerce and cross border trade. It all seemed to come back to one common theme, the relationship is important. And there is no stopping global trade. It's the future.

RYAN JIAO CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, PING PONG US "I want to borrow Jack Ma's statement at the 2018 World Economic Forum. No one can stop globalization and no one can stop trade."

MIKE WALTER LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY "Well, we all know that the U.S. and China are not sitting down at the table and talking right now but that's not the case here in Lexington. Everywhere you go you in this convention center, you find signs on tables just like this one-- reserved for deal making, and despite the trade friction, there were people sitting down and cutting deals here in Lexington."

Michael North sat at the tables, and he believes his company will probably walk away with a couple of new deals as a result of attending the summit. His company has been doing business in China for more than a decade, and he will leave Lexington upbeat about the future.

MICHAEL NORTH GALAXY TRADE & TECHNOLOGY "I came here optimistic, I'm even more optimistic now, haha, and it's not just blind optimism. I think it's from having seen and heard from a lot of people who share the same commitment as we do."

I spoke to the governor as things wrapped up, he remains upbeat, pleased with the outcome of the summit and despite all the negative headlines convinced a deal is in the offing.

MATT BEVIN GOVERNOR OF KENTUCKY "The majority of these things are very close to being resolved, and I'm absolutely confident they will be and when better than in a robust global economy to resolve these issues."

Once those issues are resolved, Bevin may be remembered as the elected official who kept the conversation going during tense times which ultimately could be the legacy of the U.S.-China Governors Collaboration Summit. Mike Walter, Lexington, Kentucky.