Tariffs to return to the forefront as May 1st deadline approaches

Joshua Gibson FXStreet

Focus is likely to swing back to US President Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs this week, as the exemptions granted to several key trading partners with the US were only temporary, with a self-imposed deadline of May 1st by Trump.

Key notes

Exemptions for Canada and Mexico have been tied to NAFTA renegotiations, and many are expecting Trump to granted a continued exemption as NAFTA talks are progressing, while South Korea secured permanent exemptions by agreeing to new trade quotas.

Germany's Chancellor, Angela Merkel, threatened a retaliatory response from Europe if exemptions were not granted to Europe, while EU leaders maintain that Trump holds unreasonable demands. Whether or not to grant exemptions lies in Trump's hands.

Author

Joshua Gibson

FXStreet

Joshua joins the FXStreet team as an Economics and Finance double major from Vancouver Island University with twelve years' experience as an independent trader focusing on technical analysis.

AUD/USD holds firm near 0.7000 after Chinese inflation, trade data

AUD/USD stays firm near 0.7000 in Wednesday’s Asian session, picking up some bids after China's mixed inflation and upbeat trade data. CPI rose less than expected in September, while PPI inflation picked up. Meanwhile, the Chinese trade surplus unexpectedly widened in September. The pair remains underpinned by a broadly subdued US Dollar, despite the Middle East escalation, as focus remains on US CPI data.

USD/JPY consolidates near 158.50; looks to US CPI for fresh impetus

USD/JPY stays range-bound near 158.50 in the Asian session on Wednesday, with looming intervention risks supporting the Japanese Yen and capping upside amid a softer US Dollar. However, geopolitical uncertainties act as a tailwind for the safe-haven USD and the pair. Traders also seem hesitant ahead of the release of the latest US inflation figures.

Gold drifts lower with US CPI, Fed speakers in focus

Gold extends losses on Wednesday, despite the lower US Treasury yields, with investors looking from the sidelines ahead of the release of September’s US Consumer Price Index report and speeches from Federal Reserve officials due later in the day. The XAU/USD pair has retreated below the $4,150 level after rejection at the $4,200 area on Monday, with technical indicators showing building bearish momentum.

Bitcoin eyes $85,000; ETH holds support, XRP stabilizes

Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Ripple (XRP) show signs of recovery on Wednesday as buyers try to regain control after their recent market weakness. BTC extends its rebound toward the $85,000 resistance, while ETH and XRP find support around key levels.

US CPI data expected to rise in September as markets reassess Fed rate outlook

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics will publish the September Consumer Price Index (CPI) data on Wednesday. The report is expected to show a further increase in headline prices and a small uptick in annual core inflation. Any divergence from analysts’ estimates could influence the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook and impact the US Dollar’s valuation.

Has Bitcoin really escaped the macro forces it was built to fight?

Over 17 years ago, Satoshi Nakamoto designed Bitcoin (BTC) on the back of a global financial crisis as an alternative to the global monetary system outside the control of central banks, governments and traditional intermediaries. This raises a key question: has Bitcoin really become independent of the macroeconomic forces it was built to challenge?