NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are drifting on Monday as the world’s two largest economies begin talks on trade that could help avoid a recession.

The S&P 500 was virtually unchanged in morning trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 171 points, or 0.4%, as of 10:45 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.4% higher.

Officials from the United States and China are meeting in London to talk about a range of different disputes that are separating them. The hope is that they can eventually reach a deal that will lower each’s punishing level of tariffs against the other, which are currently on pause, so that the flow of everything from tiny tech gadgets to enormous machinery can continue.

Hopes that President Donald Trump will lower his tariffs after reaching such trade deal

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