Frankfurt's DAX edged up 0.2% to trade above 23,800 on Thursday, extending yesterday’s gains, supported by auto and tech stocks amid optimism on trade negotiations. News of the US lifting some chip design export controls on China lifted sentiment, marking another sign of easing tensions and a prospective trade truce. Vietnam’s Tuesday trade agreement with the US eliminated tariffs on American goods, boosting hopes for a similar US-EU deal. Meanwhile, ECB minutes and US labor market data will take center stage today, with both likely to impact the economic outlook and rate cut expectations.