Gold is trading sideways in the Monday session. In North American trade, the spot price for one ounce of gold is $1278.63, down 0.09% on the day. It’s a quiet start to the week, with no major releases out of the U.S. On Tuesday, the focus is on construction numbers, with the release building permits and housing starts.
Are we heading for a global trade war? The markets are certainly concerned after U.S President Trump imposed further tariffs on some $50 billion of Chinese products on Friday. China has promised to retaliate against U.S imports, as trade ties between the world’s two largest economies continue to deteriorate. With the U.S recently slapping tariffs on the EU, Mexico and Canada, it is no wonder that investor anxiety has risen.
Tariffs aside, trade negotiations on the NAFTA agreement remain deadlocked. Canada is deadset against a U.S demand for a sunset clause after five years, which would require the parties to hammer out a new agreement. As well, Mexico and Canada are not happy with U.S demands to raise the American content of any vehicle produced in any of the three countries, which would significantly alter the NAFTA auto pact. Mexico is holding general elections on July 1, and a left-wing candidate, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, leads in the polls. If López Obrador becomes president, it could mean even more complications for the NAFTA talks.
