Oil prices rose by around 1 percent on Wednesday, extending gains from the previous session on hopes that Washington and Beijing may soon resolve trade disputes that have cast a dark shadow over the global economy. Pumpjacks are seen against the setting sun at the Daqing oil field in Heilongjiang province, China December 7, 2018. REUTERS/Stringer U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures CLc1 were at $50.42 per barrel at 0752 GMT, up 64 cents, or 1.3 percent, from their last settlement. That marked the first time this year that WTI has topped $50 a barrel. International Brent crude futures LCOc1 were up 69 cents, or 1.2 percent, at $59.41 per barrel. Both crude price benchmarks had already gained more than 2 percent in the previous session. “Crude continues to extend gains as early reports from Beijing regarding trade negotiations are fueling optimism around successful […]