Addressing the Trump team’s gripes over China’s role in the fentanyl crisis could let both sides soften trade stance.

Beijing is considering ways to address the Trump administration’s concerns about China’s role in the fentanyl trade, potentially providing an offramp from hostilities to allow trade talks to start, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

Signs of a possible thaw in trade tensions helped drive global markets higher on Friday after Beijing said it was “evaluating” recent overtures from Washington on starting trade talks. China’s commerce ministry said the US had recently “conveyed messages to China through various channels,

Beijing-backed social media accounts say U.S. officials have reached out to Chinese counterparts through multiple channels to discuss trade, as the world watches for any sign of tariff talks between the two sides.

Beijing is "evaluating" an offer from Washington to hold talks over U.S. President Donald Trump's crippling tariffs, China's Commerce Ministry said on Friday, signalling a potential de-escalation in the trade war that has roiled global markets.

Beijing is considering trade talks with the Trump administration if the US demonstrates "sincerity" by addressing key tariff issues.