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Forex today: DXY testing 98 on conflicting US/China trade headlines

Here is what you need to know on Friday, November 22:

Trade: The main headline of the day came from the South China Morning Post, in an article entitled, "China watching Donald Trump’s response to US Hong Kong bill as it threatens to become new barrier to trade deal," and bullet points as follows: 

  • One source says Beijing may decide to ‘fight and talk alternatively’ and is now closely monitoring the US president’s next move following the vote by Congress
  • China reacted angrily to the proposals, accusing Washington of interfering in its internal affairs, and may feel obliged to respond.

The article was stating that China will not make a deal with the US if Trump signs the Hong Kong bill into law. However, on the flip side, the article also said that the US may be willing to delay the 15 December tariffs if an agreement is not reached by then. This followed earlier conflicting news that Chinese Vice Premier Liu He said that he is confident about reaching Phase One of a deal with the US. Overall, the endless stream of conflicting stories left the USD little changed, +0.13% on the day, testing 98 the figure in the DXY, (21-DMA), having broken above the 21 4-hour moving average and taking on the converging 50 & 200 moving averages in the same time frame. 

BoC: The Bank of Canada's governor, Poloz, sent a beleaguered CAD a little higher with less dovish than expected comments overnight. WTI was also supportive of the CAD on OPEC sentiment ahead of Dec 5th/6th meetings where markets expect an extension to production cuts in 2020. 

Cryptocurrencies: Sentiment remains weak today after Bitcoin hit a low of 7,374.50 for the session.

Looking ahead: Markets are waiting to see if Trump signs off on the HK deal, putting it into law and what that might mean with respect to retaliation from China which could make for a volatile end to the week in Asia before global advance PMI releases in European Friday markets. 

MoreTrump Impeachment: Markets will not like any replacement

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Ross J Burland

Ross J Burland, born in England, UK, is a sportsman at heart. He played Rugby and Judo for his county, Kent and the South East of England Rugby team.

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