European stocks closed higher Friday amid optimistic sounds out of the White House on a prospective trade deal between the U.S. and China.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 closed up 0.35% to 405.83. Basic resource stocks — with their exposure to China — were among the top gainers, with the sector up over 1%.

White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow claimed on Thursday that phase one of a trade deal between the world's two largest economies was “getting close,” according to Reuters, while Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesman Gao Feng continued Beijing's call for a removal of existing tariffs.

Source : CNBC