|

USD mixed amid renewed tariff focus – Scotiabank

The US Dollar (USD) is trading mixed against the major currencies in a session where risk appetite appears to be faltering, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes. 

Renewed tariff focus pushes bond yields lower

"After a period of tariff calm, and amid a relatively quiet period for data releases, comments yesterday from President Trump appearing to confirm that tariffs on Canada and Mexico were still on track have unsettled markets again. Bonds are bid, with 10Y US Treasury yields easing 6bps on the session and the VIX has advanced to near the 20 level." 

"Global stocks are narrowly mixed but are clearly finding it hard to advance. After nudging higher form Friday’s low, the DXY may advance a little further in the short run. But the broader pattern of trade in the USD continues to track closely that of the initial period after Trump’s first term win, something that more sell-side strategists are taking note of. That might still help moderate expectations for broader USD strength to persist or extend." 

"While tariff uncertainty persists, the USD does appear to be somewhat overvalued at least relative to what tariff action has been applied so far (just the additional tariffs on China) and, perhaps what might eventually emerge. The US releases housing data, Conference Board Consumer Confidence and the Richmond Fed’s Manufacturing Index this morning. The Fed’s Barr (voter) and Barkin (non-voter) speak today."

Author

FXStreet Insights Team

The FXStreet Insights Team is a group of journalists that handpicks selected market observations published by renowned experts. The content includes notes by commercial as well as additional insights by internal and external analysts.

More from FXStreet Insights Team
Share:

Markets move fast. We move first.

Orange Juice Newsletter brings you expert driven insights - not headlines. Every day on your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to our Terms and conditions.

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD meets some support near 1.1670

EUR/USD further extends its bearish leg on Wednesday, coming under extra pressure and breaching below the 1.1700 level to flirt with four-week troughs in a context of marginal gains in the US Dollar ahead of the key US NFP on Friday.

GBP/USD deflates to daily lows near 1.3470

GBP/USD stays under pressure on Wednesday, dipping to fresh lows around 1.3470 and extending the pullback that began the previous session. Cable remains on the defensive, with the US Dollar nudging slightly higher in the wake of key US December data.

Gold remains offered near $4,450

Gold remains on the back foot on Wednesday, hovering around $4,450 per troy ounce after bringing a three-day rally to an end. The metal’s advance seems to have run out of steam near the $4,500 area, with a firmer US Dollar after key US data weighing on prices. Still, the downside looks limited for now, thanks to falling US Treasury yields across the curve.

XRP faces selling pressure as key on-chain metric resets and ETF inflows weaken

Ripple (XRP) is trading downward but holding support at $2.22 at the time of writing on Wednesday, as fear spreads across the cryptocurrency market, reversing gains made from the start of the year.

2026 economic outlook: Clear skies but don’t unfasten your seatbelts yet

Most years fade into the background as soon as a new one starts. Not 2025: a year of epochal shifts, in which the macroeconomy was the dog that did not bark. What to expect in 2026? The shocks of 2025 will not be undone, but neither will they be repeated.

XRP battles selling pressure as profit-taking, ETF inflows shape outlook

Ripple (XRP) is trading downward but holding support at $2.22 at the time of writing on Wednesday, as fear spreads across the cryptocurrency market, reversing gains made from the start of the year.