Gold Slips as US-China Trade Optimism Dulls Safe-Haven Demand

Gold prices declined in Asian trading on Tuesday as improving risk appetite and optimism over U.S.-China trade talks curbed demand for safe-haven assets. Spot gold dropped 0.8% to $3,308.32 an ounce, while August futures fell 0.8% to $3,327.75 by 00:23 ET.

After strong gains driven by economic uncertainty, Trump’s trade stance, and geopolitical tensions, gold reversed course as high-level negotiations between Washington and Beijing began in London. Hopes for progress in easing trade tensions overshadowed market worries, including unrest in Los Angeles tied to immigration protests and military deployment.

Investors also positioned themselves ahead of key U.S. inflation data due Wednesday, strengthening the dollar and putting further pressure on metal prices. President Trump indicated a willingness to ease restrictions on chip and tech exports to China, signaling potential breakthroughs in the trade dispute.

Other precious metals mirrored gold’s decline. Platinum futures slid 0.1% to $1,224.60 an ounce, retreating from a four-year high. Silver futures dipped 0.4% to $36.660, staying close to a 13-year peak. Despite recent pullbacks, gold remains up 26% year-to-date, supported by record highs earlier in 2025.

Copper prices also edged lower, with London Metal Exchange futures down 0.3% to $9,757.60 a ton and U.S. futures off 0.4% at $4.8848 a pound. Still, both benchmarks rose 1% in the prior session, buoyed by trade deal hopes despite weak Chinese economic data. May figures revealed a sharp drop in China’s copper imports and disappointing export growth, likely impacted by U.S. tariffs.

Overall, metals markets remain sensitive to macroeconomic signals and trade policy developments, with gold and copper prices fluctuating in response to shifting investor sentiment and geopolitical dynamics.