BEIJING — China said Friday it is in contact with the United States amid reports of a planned meeting between President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump next month following a dive in the U.S. stock market blamed partly on a growing trade war between the world’s two largest economies.
Foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang offered no specifics, but said that “I have also seen the relevant reports.”
“China and the U.S. maintain communication on dialogues and exchanges at all levels,” Lu told reporters at a daily briefing.
The reported meeting would take place during the G-20 summit in Argentina in late November.
The Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post both cited officials saying Trump has decided to proceed with the meeting with Xi. Trump’s top economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, told CNBC Thursday that, “There’s some movement toward” a meeting at the G-20.
“They have lots to talk about. So we’ll see,” Kudlow said.
Global indexes gained Friday after their recent sharp declines, on word of the possible presidential meeting, along with strong Chinese export data. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index gained 0.5 percent to 22,694.66 after sinking early in the day and following a nearly 4 percent loss on Thursday.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng surged 2.1 percent to 25,801.49. The Shanghai Composite index advanced 0.9 percent to 2,606.91. Shares recovered in Taiwan and rose throughout Southeast Asia.
Wall Street was set for an optimistic open after two days of steep losses. S&P 500 futures gained 0.8 percent to 2,766.80. Dow futures rose 0.8 percent to 25,378.00. (AP)