Asia-Pacific markets started the week in a mixed fashion as investors awaited further clarity on trade discussions between the United States and China, set to commence later in the day in Stockholm.
As of 11:35 am AEST (1:35 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged 0.3% higher, Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.7%, while South Korea’s Kospi 200 declined 0.2%.
The upcoming negotiations will be led by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. Speaking to Fox Business, Bessent said he expects the talks to result in an extension of the current trade truce.
He also noted that the agenda will include a broader range of issues, including China’s purchases of oil from Russia and Iran.
The high-stakes talks follow U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement over the weekend of a separate trade agreement between the United States and the European Union, which featured reciprocal tariff reductions and substantial investment pledges.
On Wall Street, major benchmarks finished higher on Friday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite notching fresh record highs.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.5%, while the S&P 500 added 0.4% and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.2%, rounding out a positive week for equities.
In commodities markets, Brent crude advanced 2.2% to US$67.66 per barrel, supported by supply concerns and geopolitical developments. However, spot gold retreated 0.9% to US$3,336.95 per ounce, easing from recent peaks as investors rotated into risk assets.
In China, equities slipped from recent multimonth highs. The Shanghai Composite Index dipped 0.3% to 3,593.7, while the CSI 300 fell 0.5% to close at 4,127.2. The declines came amid investor caution ahead of the U.S.-China talks.
Elsewhere in the region, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index lost 1.1% to close at 25,388.4, while India’s BSE Sensex also fell, shedding 0.9% to 81,463.1.
European markets ended last week on a mixed note. London’s FTSE 100 declined 0.2% to 9,120.3, Germany’s DAX slipped 0.3% to 24,295.9, while France’s CAC 40 bucked the trend, rising 0.2% to close at 7,834.6.
