Xi-Trump meeting can get trade talks moving again

Following what US President Donald Trump described as "a very good telephone conversation" with Chinese President Xi Jinping, both Beijing and Washington confirmed the two will meet on the sidelines of next week's G20 summit.

The abrupt breakdown of the China-US trade negotiations had driven pessimism to such heights that some had begun to doubt whether the two leaders would meet at all during the Osaka gathering.

Although there was no indication from Beijing that it would not materialize, Trump has shown unusual interest in such a meeting, even threatening to immediately raise tariffs otherwise, although the blame game between the two countries over responsibility for the foundering of negotiations left many wondering if the two are in the mood for serious dialogue.