Aug 20 (Reuters) - Australian shares could open higher on Monday, spurred by hopes the United States and China will put to rest trade war tensions at their upcoming diplomatic meet, while any extended strength in crude oil prices from Friday could help local energy stocks attract buyers.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday afternoon that Chinese and U.S. negotiators were drawing up a road map for their trade talks in Washington on Tuesday and Wednesday. local share price index futures YAPcm1 were 28 points higher, at a 12.2-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO close. The benchmark ended 0.2 percent stronger on Friday.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 rose 0.2 percent in early trade.