The ASEAN bloc of Southeast Asian nations and China on Tuesday signed an upgrade to their free trade agreement, which includes sections on digital, the green economy and other new industries, Beijing's Commerce Ministry said.

Beijing and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have signed an expanded free trade agreement as both sides face increased protectionism from the United States.

A tariff hike could potentially damage the Chinese economy. The U.S. imported about $438 billion worth of goods and services from China last year, making it the largest destination for China’s exports. In all, that figure accounts for about 15% of China’s exports, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Chinese and US trade negotiators have lined up an array of diplomatic wins for Donald Trump and Xi Jinping to unveil at a summit this week. Those easy hits are pleasing investors, but leave deeper core conflicts unresolved.

China's Sany Heavy Industry traded flat on its Hong Kong trading debut Tuesday after raising HKD$12.36 billion ($1.59 billion) in one of the city's largest listings this year.

The U.S. and China are nearing a trade truce weeks after President Donald Trump threatened Beijing with new 100% tariffs over a mineral trade dispute.

Soybeans and other crops soared as progress in negotiations between the U.S. and China lifted hopes that the world’s two largest economies were edging toward a deal in their protracted trade

By Anjana Anil and Pablo Sinha (Reuters) -Gold prices fell below $4,000 per ounce on Monday as signs of a thaw in U.S.-China trade tensions reduced some of bullion's safe-haven appeal, while market participants awaited the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision this week.