Most stock markets climbed Thursday even as US President Donald Trump's new tariffs on dozens of countries took effect, with investors eyeing exemptions from his threatened 100-percent levy on semiconductors.

Sentiment was also lifted by hopes of easing geopolitical tensions after the Kremlin said Trump and Russia's leader Vladimir Putin were set to meet for talks in the coming days.

Wall Street's main indices climbed as trading got underway, but the blue-chip Dow slipped into the red during morning trading and the S&P 500 was flat.

Tech stocks were lifted by Trump's pledge of chip-tariff exemptions for companies that invest heavily in the United States or commit to do so.

"Donald Trump's latest tariff move was taken with a positive twist after the president confirmed a 100-percent lev

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