Japan's Abe pursues China thaw as U.S-Beijing ties in deep freeze

FILE PHOTO: China's President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People, on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings, in Beijing November 10, 2014. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo

TOKYO (Reuters) - While U.S. President Donald Trump appears to wage a trade "Cold War" on China, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will promote a thaw with Beijing at a summit this month where business ties will be in the spotlight.

A tough line on China helped Abe to regain office in 2012 during a row over tiny East China Sea isles that put ties in a deep chill. Now, Abe hopes to build on a rapprochement welcomed by Beijing, which is locked in an escalating trade war with Washington.