A bigger "economic pie" could not only fuel U.S. and Chinese businesses' growth, but also boost economic partnership between the world's two major economies, Doug Oberhelman, chief executive officer of Caterpillar, the world's leading maker of construction and mining equipment, said Thursday.

During an interview with Xinhua, Oberhelman said that he believed that Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States this week was "immensely important" for both countries, as the two sides needed to set up a tone and vision for "where we are going, and where we want to be down on the road."

"The two important countries have to learn how to deal with each other in a big and constructive way," he said.

Citing his many years' personal experience of doing business in China, Oberhelman said it showed that mutual respect would lead to trust, and trust would lead to mutual benefits.

The Illinois-based U.S. industry giant first had its footprint in China in the late 1970s, and has grown from a bunch of employees into a dozen of manufacturing facilities, three research and development centers as well as nine offices in China.

Oberhelman pointed out that with the Chinese market and national infrastructure demand spiking, Caterpillar would step up its efforts to take advantage of the ballooning market potential.

"It's exciting for me to see the rapid growth in China and other emerging markets, which is also a piece of good news for the employees and shareholders of Caterpillar," he said.

He also said that if both nations could "find collective ways" to deepen the comprehensive economic and trade ties, "we will all win."

"How can China not have foreign investment, and how can foreign companies including American companies not be inside China? It's a perfect match, and the Chinese market is what we need," he added.

A series of business deals were inked during Hu's state visit this week. Caterpillar has announced an agreement with its wholly owned subsidiary in China. Under the agreement, 1.4 billion-U.S.-dollar mining and construction equipment, and diesel and gas turbine engines will be shipped to China.

This deal will support more than 7,500 jobs in the United States, which is still plagued by a stubbornly high unemployment rate.