The hope, and the expectation, is that when U.S. officials meet their Chinese counterparts in Stockholm to talk economics and trade next week, they will build on a recent lessening of tensions as the U.S. tries to set up a fall meeting between the countries’ leaders and lay the groundwork for another loosely defined trade pact.

President Donald Trump's recent flurry of trade deals have given Asian exporters some clarity on tariffs, but missing are key details on how to avoid punitive rates that target China's supply chains.