Oil prices began the week on a brighter note on Monday, posting early gains as positive noises from Washington over the weekend rekindled optimism in global markets that the United States and China could soon sign a deal to end their bitter trade war.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 10 cents, or 0.17 percent to US$57.87 a barrel by 0220 GMT, having ended last week little changed after tracking ups and downs in the trade talks process.