Mike Pompeo told business leaders that the trade war could end by 2020

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told a group of business leaders and free trade economists that he thought the trade war with China could come to an end. 39, here in the presidential election of 2020, according to the people attending the meeting.

At a private luncheon in New York Tuesday, Pompeo 's is voiced in front of a crowd of about 40 people including economics writer Stephen Moore, Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman, the founder Gristedes supermarket John Catsimatidis and former GOP President New York Ed Cox, according to people who attended the meeting.

Representatives from the State Department and Blackstone did not respond to a request for comment.

President Donald Trump has applied tariffs on a variety of Chinese products since the beginning of his term, while China retaliates with its own trade barriers.

Mr. Pompeo told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Tuesday that he was not sure of the position of things between the United States and China.

"I do not know the answer to this question, I've been talking to Secretary Mnuchin almost every day," Pompeo told CNBC. "I have not been at the center of these negotiations and have seen them make real progress."

Moore said that Pompeo, speaking at lunch, seemed somewhat optimistic about the prospects for an agreement.

"He still thinks we can get an agreement before the elections, and I think we all agree that it would be better for the country," Moore said in an interview with CNBC.

Moore also noted that Pompeo still seemed bellicose about an agreement with China in the short term. Pompeo, according to Moore, pointed out that there were still obstacles to an immediate agreement.

"It has been hard work to get China to accept things, and the extremists are in control right now," said Moore, citing Pompeo's remarks.

Catsmatidis also claimed that Pompeo had the impression that China and the United States would reach an agreement over the next year.

"He talked about China, he thinks that will probably happen and that they will not wait until 2020," said the supermarket magnate.

The meeting was organized by the "Committee to Free Prosperity", whose founders include Moore, former Reagan administration economist, Art Laffer, and former presidential candidate, Steve Forbes. . Catsimatidis is a member of the group.

Watch: CNBC Full Interview with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo