Among the strongest performers, Thermo Fisher Scientific rose 12%, topping the leaderboard for large-cap stocks, followed by T-Mobile US, up 9%.

Investors are hopeful a potential trade deal between the U.S. and European Union could bring more certainty to markets ahead of next Friday's tariffs deadline.

Whether President Donald Trump will renegotiate the country’s trade agreement with Mexico and Canada remains to be seen, but the threat is already affecting commerce on the border.

The U.S. and China have reached an agreement — again — to deescalate trade tensions. China is making it easier for U.S. companies crucial magnets and rare earths materials.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Scotland over the weekend, seeking to reach a framework trade agreement shortly before a 30% tariff on EU imports comes into effect.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday the United States and Pakistan were "very close" to a trade deal that could come within days, but comments from the U.S. after Dar met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned no timeline.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet US President Donald Trump in Scotland on Sunday, as the EU and US edge closer to sealing a key trade agreement. The deal could impose a 15% tax on EU imports and 50% duties on steel and aluminium.

India was unable to secure an exemption from the UK’s carbon tax in the free trade agreement, signed on Thursday, a move that will impact India’s carbon-intensive exports to Britain, think tank GTRI said on Friday.