Xi-Trump meeting puts focus back on dialogue

The world breathed a sigh of relief when presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump once again hit the pause button on the unfolding China-US trade war when they met in Osaka on Saturday on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.

Following their June 18 phone conversation, which put the two sides' negotiators back in contact, the Chinese and US leaders formally announced the resumption of trade talks - which is probably the most that could be expected from their meeting.

A meeting that achieved less would have prolonged their standoff, if not added fuel to their frictions, and either of these outcomes would have taken a heavier toll on both economies, sent amplified jitters through the global markets and darkened the prospects for the global economy.