Gold Pauses After Record Run, Trade War Concerns Persist

Gold markets remain cautious near record levels as multiple factors influence trading sentiment. The immediate focus is on President Trump’s tariff policies and their potential inflationary impact, with three Fed officials warning of price risks and suggesting a more measured approach to interest rate cuts.

While Mexico and Canada received temporary reprieves, China’s swift retaliatory tariffs have escalated tensions between the world’s largest economies. The situation has created unusual market dynamics, with global bullion banks airlifting gold from Dubai and Hong Kong to the U.S. to exploit high futures premiums.

Markets are also closely monitoring upcoming U.S. economic indicators, including job openings data and the payrolls report, which could influence Fed policy decisions.

The combination of trade uncertainty, inflation concerns, and potential monetary policy shifts continues to support gold’s traditional role as a hedge against both economic and geopolitical risks.