Asian markets rise on fresh optimism over U.S.-China trade талкс

Asian markets gained in early trading Friday amid optimism over U.S.-China trade talks, which headed into their second day in Washington.

Despite low expectations going into the first face-to-face high-level negotiations since July, hopes rose that a limited trade deal could be agreed upon after Thursday first day of meetings. “We’re doing very well... We’re going to see them tomorrow, right here, and it’s going very well,” President Donald Trump told reporters outside the White House.

Japan’s Nikkei NIK, +1.15% rose 1% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index HSI, +2.34% jumped 1.3%.