Asian shares rise ahead of Trump Xi talks

• Asian markets mostly advanced as investors monitored the expected Trump-Xi meeting on trade, AI and geopolitics.
• Technology stocks gained, with South Korea’s Kospi rising 1.8% and Samsung Electronics up 5%.
• Oil prices declined as energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz increased.

Asian shares mostly moved higher on Monday as investors monitored developments ahead of an expected meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping covering trade, artificial intelligence and geopolitical issues.

South Korea’s Kospi rose 1.8% to 7,018.98, while Taiwan’s Taiex gained 1.1% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index increased 0.6% to 24,891.58.

“Talks with China touched on trade and AI,” said U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent after discussions with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng ahead of the leaders’ meeting.

Technology stocks gained across parts of Asia, with Samsung Electronics rising 5%, SK Hynix (NASDAQ:SKHY) increasing 1% and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE:TSM) adding 0.6% as investors continued monitoring AI demand.

Following the market move, the S&P/ASX 200 was almost unchanged at 8,730.40.

Investors also tracked oil prices, which declined as vessel traffic and energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz increased, while uncertainties remained around U.S.-Iran tensions and regional supply risks.

Markets continued watching trade discussions involving possible tariff reductions on $30 billion worth of goods from each side, as well as discussions around AI safety, geopolitics and energy markets.