The US currency is weaker against all major pairs as US tariffs targeting China were announced. The USD was trading higher on Wednesday after the U.S. Federal Reserve hiked interest rates by 25 basis points as anticipated. Fed Chair Jerome Powell was neutral on his first press conference but the economic projections painted a strong US economy. The announcement on Thursday of Chinese imports subject to tariffs by the Trump administration drove stock markets lower and put downward pressure on the dollar. The economic calendar will have few major market moving events awaiting the easter holiday with the US final GDP estimate for Q4, the main attraction, to be released on Wednesday, March 28 at 8:30 am EDT. Canadian monthly GDP will be published on Thursday, March 29 at 8:30 am EDT.
- China prepared a list of tariffs on US products
- Final estimate of US GDP expected at 2.7 percent
- Canadian dollar rose as NAFTA optimism got a boost
US Fundamentals Lose Out to Trade War Concerns
The EUR/USD rose 0.64 percent during the week. The single currency is trading at 1.2367 after investors sold the dollar based on concerns about a possible trade war with China. European data was in short supply during the week with the German ZEW economic sentiment being the highlight. German confidence dropped in March as trade uncertainty had already soured the mood in Europe with ongoing Brexit negotiations and US tariffs discussed during the G20 meeting. European manufacturing also came in lower than forecasts on Thursdays when French and German flash PMIs were released. Fundamentals were strong in the US with durable goods surging to 3.1 percent on a 1.6 percent forecast and the Fed rate hike on Wednesday had the dollar appreciate versus majors.
The White House issued a statement on Friday that puts the steel and aluminum exemptions as conditions on reaching an agreement on the NAFTA renegotiations. President Trump has put in a deadline of May 1, and there is no significant progress on the negotiations the tariffs will become effective for Canada and Mexico. Originally all three members wanted a speedy resolution in 2017. The position of the US in trade negotiations was not flexible to the point that there has been little progress. Now this new deadline could finally bring about the momentum needed to unlock negotiations or spell the end of the 14 year old treaty.
Two out of the nine policymakers in charge of British interest rates voted for higher rates. They were outvoted ultimately, but Ian McCafferty and Michael Saunders said that now is the time for lifting rates. Although sterling benefited from dollar weakness following trade war anxiety if a full blown trade dispute does emerge it will also affect the economic stability of the UK which could lead the BoE to reconsider a rate hike this year.
Market events to watch this week:
Tuesday, March 27
- 10:00am USD CB Consumer Confidence
- 8:00pm NZD ANZ Business Confidence
Wednesday, March 28
- 8:30am USD Final GDP q/q
- 10:30am USD Crude Oil Inventories
Thursday, March 29
- 4:30am GBP Current Account
- 8:30am CAD GDP m/m
*All times EDT