Global stocks rise as Trump, Kim agree to talk

Global stock markets rose Friday, with sentiment boosted by a surprise decision by Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un to hold talks, and strong US jobs data providing Wall Street with an extra kick.

However, uncertainty surrounding US President Trump’s tariffs plans and fears of a trade war kept a lid on gains, dealers said.

The agreement by Trump and North Korean leader Kim to hold talks “boosted risk sentiment… encouraging investors to buy into riskier assets such as shares”, noted Fiona Cincotta, senior market analyst at traders City Index.

The high level talks are  scheduled for  May as part of the effort  to  free the  Korean peninsula of nuclear arms, a South Korean official said outside the White House on Thursday.

It would be the first face-to-face meeting in history between a U.S. president and a North Korean leader.

The opening came through shuttle diplomacy by a South Korean delegation that arrived in Washington on Thursday. Trump heralded the development as a “major announcement” after speaking with the South Korean president.