Four decades of dealings between China and the United States show that positive outcomes were always possible, China's foreign ministry said, after their presidents agreed to rekindle trade talks at a G20 meeting this month.

The world's two largest economies are in the middle of a costly trade dispute that has pressured financial markets and damaged the global economy.

Speaking at a daily news briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said it was important to find a solution that is acceptable to both sides. "I'm not getting ahead of myself, but communication over four decades shows it is possible to achieve positive outcomes," he said.

Lu said he could not give an exact agenda for the meeting. "The two leaders will talk about whatever they want," he said. "A deal is not only in the interests of the two peoples but meets the aspirations of the whole world."