Asian stock markets headed for a second straight week of gains on Friday and the dollar for its first weekly rise in more than a month as investors have welcomed an apparent softening of the White House stance on China,

U.S. stocks rose Wednesday as a worldwide rally came back around to Wall Street after President Donald Trump appeared to back off his criticism of the Federal Reserve and his tough talk in his trade war.

China has denied any suggestion it's in active negotiations with the administration of U_S_ President Donald Trump over tariffs, saying any notion of progress in the matter is as groundless as “trying to catch the wind.

President Trump’s apparent softening on tariffs has strengthened Chinese officials’ resolve that he will eventually cave if they wait him out.