Asia shares receive major boost as Trump decides to extend deadline on rise in tariffs

President Donald Trump's decision to extend a deadline to escalate tariffs on Chinese imports has raised cautious optimism in China and boosted share prices across Asia. The Shanghai Composite index jumped 4.9 per cent on Monday to its highest level since May 2018 after Trump said "substantial progress" was made in weekend talks between the two countries regarding their dispute over China's technology policies.

Trump said, "I will be delaying the U.S. increase in tariffs now scheduled for March 1." He also said that if negotiations progress, he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Florida resort to finalize an agreement. The vice president of the US-China Business Council, Jake Parker, said Trump's announcement was a "positive signal." Others in Beijing had mixed feelings, but welcomed the news.