TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso on Friday expressed hope that Washington and Beijing will resolve their trade dispute in a constructive manner through dialogue.

"We must closely watch developments" to see if negotiators from the two countries can clinch a deal to avert tariff hikes, Aso told reporters after a cabinet meeting.

"This trade row has been a matter of great interest around the world. An exchange of trade restrictions won't benefit any country. Any trade measures must be consistent with WTO rules," he added.

(Reporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto; Editing by Chang-Ran Kim)