US stocks open little changed as investors parse mixed trade signals from Trump and China. Alphabet tops earnings expectations, boosting its shares.

China called for all "unilateral" U.S. tariffs to be cancelled on Thursday, as signs emerged that the Trump administration may de-escalate its trade war with Beijing. China also clarified it has not held trade talks with Washington despite repeated comments from the U.

Gatestone Institute senior fellow Gordon Chang believes it's "a win for Trump" as a "really bad story for Beijing" emerges in the trade tensions between China and the U.S.