Gold Rebounds on New Tariff Threat
The gold price ( XAU/USD ) fell by 0.86% on Friday as resilient U.S. economic data weakened the appeal of safe-haven assets, even as geopolitical and trade tensions escalated.
Markets reacted strongly after former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a planned increase in tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from 25% towards 50% starting 4 June. The move reignites concerns over a global trade war, particularly as legal challenges to Trump’s previous tariff actions continue to unfold. An appeals court recently allowed the lawsuit to proceed, overruling an earlier decision by the Court of International Trade to pause the tariffs. This has added legal uncertainty to the economic situation.
Adding to the market volatility, Trump accused China of breaching a tariff ceasefire brokered in early May. Beijing denied the accusation, alleging reciprocal U.S. violations. Meanwhile, geopolitical risks surged after a Ukrainian drone strike reportedly destroyed over 40 Russian military aircraft, prompting a retaliatory missile and drone barrage. The escalation occurred just ahead of scheduled peace negotiations in Istanbul, heightening further uncertainty in markets grappling with rising protectionism and legal ambiguity surrounding U.S. trade policy.
XAU/USD rose above $3,320 during Asian and early European trading sessions as Trump’s new tariff threat spurred demand for safe-haven assets. Today, investors should await comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell at 5:00 p.m. UTC for more clues on the U.S. interest rate path.
Euro Holds Firm Amid Escalating Trade Tensions
Today, the euro ( EUR/USD ) has risen by 0.29% as escalating trade tensions have weighed on investor confidence.
The euro’s rise followed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that tariffs on steel and aluminium imports would be doubled towards 50% starting June 4. The announcement renewed fears of a protracted trade conflict. Meanwhile, Beijing has strongly rejected Trump’s accusations that China violated a trade agreement struck last month in Geneva. The conflict cast doubt on the immediate prospects for diplomatic engagement between the two largest economies.
Despite the renewed tension, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett suggested that a meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping could still occur this week, leaving the door open for dialogue. Meanwhile, markets are focusing on several key U.S. economic indicators, with particular focus on Friday’s nonfarm payrolls report. The report could provide critical insights into the economic implications of changing trade dynamics. The data will also help determine whether the recent pressure on the US dollar is transitory or marks the beginning of a broader reassessment of U.S. economic risks.
Today, traders should closely monitor developments surrounding U.S. trade tariffs and the peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. The U.S. will release several economic reports that may increase volatility. ISM Manufacturing PMI will come out at 2:00 p.m. UTC and may affect the euro. Key levels to watch are resistance at 1.13500 and support at 1.11400.
Japanese Yen Falls as Investors Seek Refuge In Safe Assets
The Japanese yen ( USD/JPY ) advanced towards approximately 143.500 on Monday, marking its third consecutive session of gains.
The rally in the Japanese yen was driven largely by renewed concerns over protectionist policies after former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to double tariffs on steel and aluminium imports towards 50%, effective 4 June. These developments reignited fears of a broader trade conflict, prompting investors to reduce positions in riskier assets and seek stability in traditional safe havens like the yen.
The tariff announcement had immediate sectoral implications, putting pressure on Japanese steelmakers. JFE Holdings and Kobe Steel saw increased investor caution due to their potential exposure to the U.S. market and rising input costs. However, Nippon Steel remained relatively resilient, buoyed by Trump’s favourable comments on its proposed merger with U.S. Steel—an endorsement that provided some insulation from the broader industry headwinds. Meanwhile, escalating U.S.–China tensions added to global uncertainty, with Beijing firmly rejecting Trump’s claim that it had violated a recent trade agreement signed in Geneva.
USD/JPY fell during Asian and early European trading hours. Today, market participants will closely monitor the U.S. ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index report at 2:00 p.m. UTC. A higher-than-expected reading may push USD/JPY higher, while softer data will put additional bearish pressure on the pair.