Gold Steadies with Focus on US-China Talks, Fed Meeting
Spot gold steadied at $3,313.63 per ounce, by 10:05 ET (14:04 GMT). Prices hit their lowest point since July 9 on Monday after a trade deal between the United States and European Union dampened safe haven demand for the yellow metal.
US gold futures was unchanged at $3,311.60.
"The lack of clear details and a defined outline of the announced trade deals... continues to keep market participants on edge," said Zain Vawda, analyst at MarketPulse by OANDA, Reuters reported.
Vawda added that a break below $3,300 could trigger a decline toward the $3,000 level in the medium term.
US and Chinese officials held more than five hours of talks in Stockholm on Monday aimed at extending their trade truce by three months, with discussions set to resume Tuesday.
Analysts note that recent US deals with the EU and Japan offered some relief, but talks with China remain far more complex and prolonged.
On the US interest rate front, the US central bank's two-day policy meeting kicks off later in the day, with rates widely expected to remain unchanged. Investors will closely scrutinize the Fed's commentary for any signals on the timing and pace of potential rate cuts ahead.
Markets are currently pricing in just under 50 basis points of rate cuts by year-end, with October seen as the most likely starting point, said Peter Grant, vice president and senior metals strategist at Zaner Metals.
However, dissent from two Fed members could shift expectations toward a September cut, which could potentially boosting gold, he added.
Gold tends to benefit in a low interest rate environment as the reduced yield on competing assets makes the non-yielding metal more attractive to investors.
Spot silver fell 0.5% to $37.98 per ounce, while platinum was steady at $1,389.85 and palladium slipped 1.2% to $1,232.67.
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Arab News
4 hours ago
- Arab News
Why is the US easing sanctions on Myanmar's junta?
In a significant policy shift, the US last week announced the partial lifting of sanctions on Myanmar's junta. The new measures allow transactions involving Myanmar's central bank and certain state-owned enterprises, including Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise. The move came shortly after news that Myanmar's top general had written to President Donald Trump, expressing optimism for improved relations. US officials clarified there was no connection between the sanctions decision and the letter. Nevertheless, the timing and scope of the changes merit close examination, especially considering their impact on the ongoing civil war, the Rohingya crisis and broader regional dynamics. Myanmar remains locked in a violent civil conflict that erupted following the 2021 military coup. Resistance movements — including the national unity government and various ethnic armed groups — have gained significant momentum across the country. The military regime has responded with airstrikes, mass arrests and the restriction of humanitarian access, particularly in contested areas. Against this backdrop, sanctions targeting Myanmar's central bank and the Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise had served as a key element of international pressure, restricting the regime's access to foreign currency and limiting its ability to finance military operations. The easing of these restrictions comes at a moment when the junta is under increasing pressure on the battlefield and in international forums. Supporters of the policy change point to the need for humanitarian flexibility and concerns over unintended consequences in the region's financial sector. Several banks in Southeast Asia had reportedly begun derisking operations involving Myanmar, making it harder for aid organizations and third-party financial institutions to operate. The updated policy aims to mitigate those effects while continuing to target individuals and entities directly involved in abuses. The policy shift has important consequences for the Rohingya, who remain some of the most vulnerable people in Myanmar. An estimated 600,000 Rohingya still live in Rakhine State under conditions of extreme repression, while nearly 1 million remain in refugee camps in Bangladesh. Humanitarian agencies continue to report that access to food, medicine and aid in northern Rakhine is severely restricted. A recent report by the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK detailed the use of starvation as a weapon of war in Rohingya areas, with dozens already reported dead from hunger and lack of medical care. Lifting some restrictions on financial transactions with state-owned enterprises does not directly address this crisis, but observers hope it could open new diplomatic channels and enable greater international engagement on humanitarian access. It also comes at a time when international aid to the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh is declining sharply. With funding cuts and a deteriorating situation on the ground, any policy that could improve coordination or unlock new avenues of support is being closely watched by humanitarian actors. Any policy that could improve coordination or unlock new avenues of support is being closely watched by humanitarian actors. Dr. Azeem Ibrahim The easing of sanctions may also reflect evolving geopolitical realities. Myanmar sits at a crucial crossroads between South Asia, Southeast Asia and China. For years, Beijing has deepened its influence in Myanmar through infrastructure projects and strategic partnerships. Any steps that reduce Myanmar's economic dependence on China or open space for engagement with international actors may serve broader regional objectives. In addition, restoring limited financial access for Myanmar's central institutions could support nongovernmental and cross-border aid flows, allowing for greater humanitarian flexibility in areas not under junta control. A careful calibration of sanctions may be part of a broader strategy to preserve humanitarian space while maintaining pressure on the military leadership. Neighboring countries such as Bangladesh, Thailand and India will be watching these developments closely. Bangladesh, in particular, is bearing the brunt of the regional fallout, hosting hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees for more than seven years. With international support decreasing and no immediate solution in sight, Dhaka has repeatedly called for renewed efforts to facilitate the voluntary, safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar. If the policy shift from Washington signals a potential diplomatic opening, it could also reinvigorate discussions around the role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and other regional actors in supporting a political settlement. Malaysia and Indonesia have pushed for greater engagement on Myanmar within ASEAN, while other states have emphasized noninterference. A more flexible US posture could help bridge these differences and encourage coordinated regional approaches. The US decision to lift certain sanctions on Myanmar represents a notable recalibration of policy. While the full consequences remain to be seen, the move creates space for potential humanitarian and diplomatic gains. The civil war continues to evolve and new approaches may be needed to address the complex realities on the ground. Going forward, it will be important for Washington and its partners to maintain clear conditions and expectations regarding human rights, access to aid and political inclusion. By carefully managing this new phase of engagement, the international community can continue to support the people of Myanmar — including the Rohingya — in their pursuit of peace, dignity and justice.
Arab News
4 hours ago
- Arab News
Bangladesh secures 20 percent US tariff for garments, exporters relieved
DHAKA, KARACHI, AHMEDABAD: Bangladesh has negotiated a 20 percent tariff on exports to the US, down from the 37 percent initially proposed by US President Donald Trump, bringing relief to exporters in the world's second-largest garment supplier. The new rate is in line with those offered to other major apparel-exporting countries such as Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Pakistan and Indonesia. India, which failed to reach a comprehensive agreement with Washington, will face a steeper 25 percent tariff. Trump put steep tariffs on exports from dozens of trading partners, including Canada, Brazil, India and Taiwan, ahead of a Friday trade deal deadline. • India faces higher 25 percent tariff on apparel shipments. • Pakistani exporters cautious about impact of 19 percent tariff. The outcome secured by Bangladesh — home to a $40 billion apparel export sector — reflects careful negotiation, said Khalilur Rahman, national security adviser and lead negotiator. 'Protecting our apparel industry was a top priority, but we also focused our purchase commitments on US agricultural products. This supports our food security goals and fosters goodwill with US farming states,' Rahman said. Muhammad Yunus, the head of the country's interim government, called it a 'decisive diplomatic victory.' The readymade garments sector is the backbone of Bangladesh's economy, accounting for more than 80 percent of total export earnings, employing about 4 million workers, and contributing about 10 percent to gross domestic product. The prospect of higher US tariffs has rattled Bangladesh's ready-made garments industry, which fears losing competitiveness in one of its largest markets. 'While the 20 percent tariff will cause some short-term pain, Bangladesh remains better positioned than many of its competitors,' said Mohiuddin Rubel, additional managing director at Denim Expert Ltd, which makes jeans and other items for brands including H&M. Exporters in neighboring India said the relatively higher tariffs levied would hurt the country's textile exports, as its competitors like Bangladesh, Vietnam and Cambodia got lower tariffs. 'We are hoping that the tariffs will be rationalized. We will have to recalibrate our strategies depending on the final tariff imposed, said Chintan Thakker, chairman of industry body ASSOCHAM in the state of Gujarat, a major apparel exporter. 'Devil will be in the details' Pakistan, which exported about $4.1 billion worth of apparel to the US in the 2024 fiscal year, secured a tariff rate of 19 percent, but industry figures were cautious about the immediate impact. 'Considering India's lower production costs and the likelihood of it negotiating reduced tariffs in the near term, Pakistan is unlikely to either gain or lose a meaningful share in the apparel segment,' Musadaq Zulqarnain, founder and chair of Interloop Limited — a leading Pakistani exporter. 'If the current reciprocal tariff structure holds, significant investment is likely to flow into DR-CAFTA countries and Egypt,' he said, referring to a trade agreement between the US and a group of Caribbean and Central American countries. Elsewhere in South Asia, Sri Lanka also secured a 20 percent tariff rate from the US, which accounted for 40 percent of its apparel exports of $4.8 billion last year. 'The devil will be in the details as there are questions over issues such as trans-shipment, but overall it's mostly good,' Yohan Lawrence, secretary general of the Joint Apparel Associations Forum, a Sri Lankan industry body, told Reuters.
Al Arabiya
6 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
‘It won't stop our efforts': Palestinian official on US sanctions, Witkoff's Gaza visit
On tonight's W News with Leigh-Ann Gerrans, the Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs reacts to new sanctions imposed by the US on Palestinian Authority officials, and she shares her thoughts on US Envoy Steve Witkoff's visit to Gaza. Plus, as US President Donald Trump's fresh tariffs kick in, we ask an economist how it will affect consumers and global relationships.
