Stocks in Asia Pacific dipped on Friday as investors watched for developments from the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, where U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet amid the ongoing trade standoff.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 dropped 62.25 points, or 0.3%, to 21,275.92, with shares of index heavyweight and robot maker Fanuc declining 0.52%.
The Japanese yen traded at 107.67 against the U.S. dollar after touching levels above 108.0 in the previous session.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index collapsed 78.8 points, or 0.3%, to 28,542.62
The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7014 U.S. after rising from levels below $0.700 yesterday.
CHINA
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 faltered 9.23 points, or 0.2%, to 3,825.59.
Trump and Xi are scheduled to meet on Saturday at the G-20 summit in Japan, where they are expected to discuss trade, as investors watch for signs of whether the two countries can make progress toward ending their protracted trade fight.
Ahead of that meeting, media reports circulated that China is looking for a "balanced" trade deal at the summit, though the U.S. isn’t interested. An agreement between Trump and Xi at the G-20 summit in Japan could avert the next round of tariffs on additional $300 billion worth of Chinese imports.
In other markets
In Korea, the Kospi index lost 3.7 points, or 0.2%, to 2,130.62
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index shied away 6.99 points, or 0.2%, to 3,321.61
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index slid 43.07 points, or 0.4%, to 10,730.83
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 gained 69.88 points, or 0.7%, to 10,501.10
In Australia, the ASX 200 fell 47.54 points, or 0.7%, to 6,618.77
