Asian shares were mostly higher Thursday, tracking a rebound on Wall Street after President Donald Trump pulled back on some of his tariffs hikes. US futures were little changed, while benchmarks surged in Japan and China. Trump's decision to give a one-month exemption for US automakers on his 25% tariffs for Mexican and Canadian imports raised hopes he may avoid a worst-case trade war that grinds down economies and sends inflation higher. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index gained 0.8% to 37,704.93. Japanese automakers' shares surged in US trading, though Toyota Motor Corp's shares fell back in Tokyo trading. losing 1%. Honda Motor Corp. gained 2% and Nissan Motor Co. rose 1.1%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index jumped 3.3% to 24,362.68 following Chinese government reports to the annual legislative session that showed a greater resolve by Beijing to boost consumer spending and other domestic demand. The Shanghai Composite index advanced 1.2% to 3,381.10. South Korea's Kospi jumped 0.7% to 2,576.