U.S. shares were set to be little changed with Dow futures slipping less than 0.1% to 44,442.00. S&P 500 futures declined were also little changed, inching down less than 0.1% to 6,070.25.
The possibility that Trump may pause some of the tariffs he has announced was a cause for optimism in Asian markets.
The upswing came despite a decline on Wall Street on Wednesday after a report showed inflation is worsening for Americans.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 jumped 1.3% to finish at 39,461.47. Australia's S&P/ASX200 added nearly 0.1% to 8,540.00. South Korea's Kospi gained 1.4% to 2,583.17. The Hang Seng lost earlier gains to drop 0.2% to 21,814.37, while the Shanghai Composite edged down 0.4% to 3,332.48.
Oil prices continued an overnight decline that came after Trump said he had agreed with Russia's president to begin "negotiations" on ending the war in Ukraine. Such a move could free up the global movement of crude.
In energy trading, benchmark U.S. crude fell 83 cents to $70.54 a barrel. Brent crude declined 84 cents to $74.34.
In currency trading, the U.S. dollar fell to 154.00 Japanese yen from 154.31 yen. The euro cost $1.0425, up from $1.0386.
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AP Business Writer Stan Choe contributed.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP