Trade War and Trump European Trip Boost US Dollar

The US dollar was higher across the board against major pairs on Friday. Trade war concerns rose heading into the weekend and the comments from US President Donald Trump during the week sparked a rally of USD buying. Trump has been outspoken on NATO, trade and the Brexit deal while economic indicators and the US Fed have been supportive of the greenback. The Trump administration has said that it would add 10 percent tariffs on additional $200 billion Chinese goods if the Asian nation retaliates. U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell highlights the week with his semi annual testimonies.

• US retail sales expected to slow down
• Fed Chair Powell to testify before congress and senate committees
• Canadian inflation and retail sales data out on Friday

**Dollar Firmer on Trade Tensions and Fed Comments **

The EUR/USD fell 0.80 in the last five sessions. The single currency is trading at 1.1648 after the EUR lost ground int he first four days of the week, only to mount a half hearted recovery on Friday. The pair started the week trading at 1.1763 and will close at 1.1685. Hawkish Fed member rhetoric and strong inflation indicators in the US did their part on the fundamental side, but with geopolitics playing such an important part the focus of investors was on the ongoing trade war with China. The USD became a safe haven and attracted flows looking to hedge against uncertainty.

The U.S. Federal Reserve has lifted interest rates twice already in 2018 and Fed members have been out in numbers endorsing one or two more additional hikes. The tone of the testimonies from Chair Powell to the congress and senate committees will guide the currency.

European inflation data will be released on Wednesday and is expected to remain steady at 2.0 percent. US retail sales data is expected to drop to a small gain of 0.4 percent but the emphasis will be on Fed Chair Powell’s testimony alongside other member comments during the week. The G20 financial summit will be held in Buenos Aires starting on Friday, July 20 which will be interning as trade spats have escalated to tariff wars but have yet to fully impact global markets.

Yen Loses Safe Haven Appeal

The USD/JPY gained 1.83 percent during the week. The currency pair is trading at 112.47 with the yen one of the biggest losers against the USD in the past five sessions. The Japanese currency shed its safe haven status as a major source of its exports has been targeted in the trade wars (auto) and the US yield curve flattening making the greenback a more attractive destination.

Bank of Canada Hike Can’t Compete with Trade Concerns

The USD/CAD gained 0.65 percent in the last five days. The currency pair is trading at 1.3174 even after the Bank of Canada (BoC) made the benchmark interest rate 25 basis points higher on Wednesday. The official rate is now 1.50 percent, closing the gap with the Fed funds rate alongside some hawkish forecasts of the economy by Governor Poloz.

The main headwind for the loonie has been the current geopolitical climate, trade in particular. The Canadian economy is heavily dependant on its relationship with the US and the Trump administration has been pushing for a deep NAFTA renegotiation in exchange to exempt Canada form other tariffs.

The loonie got little support from oil prices with West Texas Intermediate falling since the higher than expected supplies coming online. The weekly inventories posted a large drawdown, but ends of disruption in Libya and a softer stance on Iranian oil by the US is pushing crude prices down. US officials are considering dipping into the oil receiver to prevent a sharp price increase.

Brexit Pressure and Trump Comments Take Down Pound

The GBP/USD lost 0.81 percent in the last week. The currency pair is trading at 1.3178 in the aftermath of a softer Brexit plan drafted by Prime Minister Theresa May was published. The strategy has already resulted in multiple resignations from hard line Brexiteers in May’s government but so far has been short on details. The EU withdrawal bill will be voted next week and then the UK government will sit down with the EU to keep hashing out the Brexit negotiation

UK data will be released that could end up putting the Bank of England (BoE) August rate hike out of reach. Labor data, inflation and retail sales are all due during the week. The Brexit negotiation continues to be a bumpy ride and that is only on the domestic side, EU negotiators might not agree with May’s promises back home regardless of the political cost.

Sunday, July 15
10:00pm CNY GDP q/y
Monday, July 16
8:30am USD Core Retail Sales m/m
USD Retail Sales m/m
6:45pm NZD CPI q/q
9:30pm AUD Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, July 17
4:30am GBP Average Earnings Index 3m/y
4:30am GBP BOE Gov Carney Speaks
10:00am USD Fed Chair Powell Testifies
Wednesday, July 18
4:30am GBP CPI y/y
8:30am USD Building Permits
10:00am USD Fed Chair Powell Testifies
10:30am USD Crude Oil Inventories
9:30pm AUD Employment Change
Thursday, July 19
4:30am GBP Retail Sales m/m
Friday, July 20
8:30am CAD CPI m/m
8:30am CAD Core Retail Sales m/m

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