Investors were encouraged by the announcement that top U.S. and Chinese negotiators, Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Vice Premier Liu He, talked Monday by phone. No details were released.
"Both presidents have a very low bar of merely agreeing to resume trade talks, without having to iron out any of the sticking points at the G20," said Chang Wei Liang of Mizuho Bank in a report. Seoul's Kospi added one point to 2,128.00 while Sydney's S&P-ASX 200 gained three points to 6,667.40. Taiwan also declined while markets in Southeast Asia and New Zealand advanced.
The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies slid 1.3% to 1,530.08, its biggest single-day loss since May 31.
But don't mention Hong Kong. China won't like that.
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