Hong Kong stocks closed Tuesday's session mixed as investors await clarity on where the US-China tariff war is headed.

The Hang Seng Index closed fractionally higher at 22,008.11. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index ended marginally lower at 8,067.94.

On Monday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged China to make the first move in easing trade tensions, while Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on BRICS nations to stand firm against US tariff pressure, the SCMP reported.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong's trade activity strengthened in March, with exports increasing 18.5% year over year, accelerating from the 15.4% growth in the prior month. Imports in the month climbed 16.6%, faster than 11.8% in February.

In corporate news, HSBC (HKG:0005) closed over 3% higher after the lender announced a new $3 billion share buyback program scheduled to commence after its annual general meeting on May 2, according to the SCMP.

HSBC's attributable profit for the first quarter fell to $6.93 billion in the first quarter from $10.2 billion a year prior, with a net interest income of $8.3 billion beating visible Alpha estimates of $8.04 billion.

Investors eye earnings from other financial giants expected later in the day.