STI picks up on rise in Asian equities

ASIAN stocks rose on Thursday, buoyed by signs that China and the United States are taking the first steps to de-escalate their bitter trade dispute.

Beijing on Wednesday had sent a response to US demands for trade reform, as both countries resumed informal discussions ahead of a meeting between leaders of both countries.

The move could signal formal negotiations between the two superpowers in a trade war of attrition which so far has involved everything from soya beans to aluminium.