Asian markets rise on hopes of US, China trade deal

Shanghai/New York — Asian shares rose on Friday as investors focused on talks between US and Chinese trade officials and solid corporate earnings rather than the looming release of data expected to show the worst US unemployment rate in more than 70 years. Having opened higher after gains on Wall Street overnight, Asian markets had a further boost late in the morning on Chinese state media reports that US and Chinese trade representatives had held a phone call and pledged to co-operate on carrying out the countries’ phase 1 trade deal. The news lifted US...