Gold edges higher on softer dollar, trade war intensifies
Spot gold rose 0.1% to $3,316.77 per ounce by 0355 GMT. U.S. gold futures were up 0.2% at $3,325.60.
"Gold bounced off a technical support level and also, the broader dollar declined," said Nicholas Frappell, global head of institutional markets at ABC Refinery.
Trump escalated his tariff campaign on Wednesday, announcing a 50% tariff on U.S. copper imports and a 50% duty on goods from Brazil, both effective on August 1.
Trump also issued tariff notices for seven minor trading partners, adding to 14 others issued earlier in the week, including South Korea and Japan, with 25% levies set to take effect on August 1 unless agreements are reached.
"The market impact of tariffs seems to lessen with each new headline. Tariff fatigue is here, and traders need a new catalyst to awaken volatility from its lull," said Matt Simpson, a senior analyst at City Index.
The U.S. dollar index edged down 0.2%, while the yield on benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury notes retreated from a three-week high.
Lower bond yields reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion, while a weaker dollar makes gold cheaper for holders of other currencies.
Minutes of the Federal Reserve's June 17-18 meeting showed that only "a couple" of Fed officials believed interest rate cuts could happen as early as this month, with most favouring reductions later this year due to inflation concerns tied to Trump's tariff policies.
The Federal Open Market Committee unanimously voted to hold rates steady at its June meeting, with the next policy meeting scheduled for July 29-30.
Spot silver edged up 0.3% to $36.44 per ounce, platinum fell 0.2% to $1,345.03 and palladium lost 0.2% to $1,102.69. (Reporting by Anmol Choubey in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich and Subhranshu Sahu)
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