By Alexandra Gibbs, CNBC–

U.S. stock index futures eked out minor gains ahead of Wednesday’s open, lifted by positive sentiment seen in markets overseas.

Around 4:45 a.m. ET, Dow futures rose 4 points, indicating a positive open of 25.04 points. Futures on the S&P 500 were relatively flat, indicating a flat open of -0.16 points, while Nasdaq futures rose, signaling an open of 2.85 points up.

Markets were given a slight boost as stocks in both Asia and Europe posted solid gains during their respective Wednesday sessions. In the previous session, stocks posted sharp gains, with the Dow closing up in the triple digits.

As another trading week hits the midpoint, investors continue to monitor trade rifts going on between the U.S. and China. On Monday, the U.S. administration announced that it would inflict 10 percent tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports, of which would go onto rise to 25 percent by year-end.

The news sparked retaliation from China on Tuesday, who announced levies targeting over 5,000 American products – worth $60 billion – which would go into effect next week on Sept. 24, according to Reuters.

China’s commerce ministry added flame to the fire on Tuesday, announcing that it had filed a complaint to the World Trade Organization against the U.S.’ latest round of tariffs, the news agency added.

Meanwhile, at a World Economic Forum conference in Tianjin, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said that the Asian nation was confronted with “a host of difficulties and challenges” when it came to keeping the economy stable.

On the data front, at 8:30 a.m. ET, housing starts, building permits and the U.S. International Transactions report is due.

In earnings, Red Hat and Herman Miller are both scheduled to release their latest corporate reports.