ForexLive Asia-Pacific FX news wrap: Trump tariffs remarks trigger USD jump

  • Forex news for Asian trading on Jan 22, 2025

Welcome to today’s edition of Trump tariff talk watch! It sure seems that way. Major FX was subdued until Trump dropped tariff remarks again. He said the EU ‘treats us badly’ and that tariffs are on the way for them. EUR/USD dropped from around 1.0425 to lows under 1.04. Other FX dropped alongside, to various degrees. Trump had earlier reiterated the threat of a 10% tariff on China, as early as February 1, and also that he wants to renegotiate his trade deal with Canada and Mexico.

Leaving the US behind and crossing the Pacific we had inflation data from New Zealand, both the official reading and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s own data.

  • The official data, from StatsNZ showed q/q CPI at 0.5% but a slight tick above expectations for the y/y at 2.2% (2.1% expected). Non tradable inflation dropped.
  • From the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, its preferred model dropped from 3.4% y/y in Q3 to 3.1%. While 3.1% is still above the top of the Bank’s 1 – 3% target band the decent sized drop will encourage the Bank to continue cutting rates. Indeed, market pricing firmed for a 50bp rate cut at the next meeting on February 19.

NZD/USD dribbled lower on the session, towards 0.5650 and is circa 0.5660 as I update.

USD/JPY tracked to highs above 155.90 and its ebbed a little to around 155.78 as I post. There was little fresh news from Japan today.

Gold climbed back above US$2750.

gold wrap 22 January 2025 2

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