Global markets advanced Friday after China’s Commerce Ministry said Beijing is evaluating overtures from the U.S. regarding President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The future for the S&P 500 gained 0.5% while that for the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.

China said it is "currently evaluating" U.S. proposals to start trade talks, opening the door to negotiations between Beijing and Washington for the first time since tariffs between the two began escalating.

Tariffs on China will remain at their current levels, according to Stephen Miran, a key architect of President Donald Trump’s trade policies. Miran’s comments come at a time when the administration is trying to calm nervous investors but offering mixed signals.