The State Department announced the release of Mark Swidan, Kai Li and John Leung. A U.S. government official told NBC News the three were exchanged for two Chinese detainees.

Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung have been released from detention, a spokesperson for the National Security Council said.

Three American citizens who had been imprisoned in China for years were released and are on their way back to the United States, the White House announced Wednesday. The development marks a significant diplomatic achievement in the final months of President Joe Biden 's administration.

China's state media have praised some U.S. firms for "strong collaboration" - commentary that comes amid fears of a trade war and is reminiscent of how tensions with the U.S. were covered by Chinese newspapers during Donald Trump's first presidency.

China's state media warned U.S. President-elect Donald Trump his pledge to slap additional tariffs on Chinese goods over fentanyl flows could drag the world's top two economies into a mutually destructive tariff war.

Trump on Monday threatened an additional tariff of 10 percent unless China halts the flow of Fentanyl precursors.