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Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
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Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Gold prices soared to a record high Thursday as escalating US-China trade tensions fueled strong safe-haven demand. Spot Gold rose 2.83% to $3,170.27 per ounce, while Gold Futures for June delivery jumped 3.54% to $3,188.56.
The rally followed new U.S. tariffs that took effect Wednesday, with President Donald Trump announcing a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for most countries—excluding China. Tariffs on Chinese imports were sharply raised to 145%, while China’s retaliatory tariffs of 84% on U.S. goods began Thursday. The conflicting moves heightened fears of a prolonged trade war between the world’s two largest economies, boosting demand for gold as a hedge against economic and geopolitical risk.
Gold had previously hit a record high on April 3 after initial tariff announcements. However, it saw brief declines as investors liquidated positions to cover broader market losses. The recent rebound reflects renewed investor caution amid mixed trade policy signals.
Adding to gold’s bullish momentum, the U.S. Dollar Index dropped 1.8%, making the precious metal more attractive to international buyers. Other metals also gained, with Silver Futures climbing 2.3% to $31.11 an ounce and Platinum Futures rising 2.14% to $939.70.
Copper Futures surged 4.4% on optimism over Trump’s tariff pause, though ING analysts warned that elevated tariffs on China—set at 125%—continue to pose risks. Nonetheless, expectations for further economic stimulus from Beijing may help support copper and other industrial metals.
With uncertainty around global trade policy deepening, safe-haven assets like gold are seeing increased interest, pointing to ongoing volatility in commodity and financial markets.
