Beijing is "evaluating" an offer from Washington to hold talks over U.S. President Donald Trump's crippling tariffs, China's Commerce Ministry said on Friday, signalling a potential de-escalation in the trade war that has roiled global markets.

The signals from Beijing helped lift market sentiment across Asia. S&P 500 futures erased earlier losses, regional equities rebounded, and the offshore yuan strengthened.

China's Commerce Ministry says Beijing is evaluating multiple approaches by the Trump administration for trade talks

Companies like Alibaba that built China’s world-leading online shopping sector are now helping its sellers find markets beyond the United States.

American businesses are cancelling orders from China, postponing expansion plans and hunkering down to see what trade policy surprises President Donald Trump plans to spring on them next

US President Donald Trump has signaled a potential U-turn on his trade war with China, saying the high tariffs on Chinese goods will “come down substantially, but it won’t be zero.”