Trump's tariff plans propel safe-haven gold to record high
Gold prices scaled a record peak on Friday as concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump's fresh tariff plans ignited fears of a global trade war, driving a rush towards the safe-haven allure of the precious metal.
FUNDAMENTALS
<div data-placement=«Mid Article Thumbnails» data-target_type=«mix» data-mode=«thumbnails-mid» style=«min-height:400px; margin-bottom:12px;» class=«wdt-taboola» id=«taboola-mid-article-thumbnails-119625447»> * Spot gold climbed 0.2% to $3,061.72 an ounce, as of 0035 GMT, after hitting a record high of $3,063.20 earlier in the session. Bullion is up 1.3% so far this week.
* U.S. gold futures firmed 0.4% to $3,073.10.
* A cocktail of factors including uncertainty surrounding tariffs, potential for interest rate cuts, geopolitical conflicts and central bank buying have all played a role in fueling gold's surge in 2025.
Live Events
* Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Thursday that he would respond with unspecified trade actions if Trump imposes new auto tariffs that have expanded a global trade war and hammered stocks.
* All eyes are also on the reciprocal tariffs that Trump is set to implement on April 2, which could stoke inflation, dampen economic growth, and escalate trade disputes.
* Gold is traditionally seen as a hedge against economic and political uncertainty and often thrives in a low-interest rate environment.
* Richmond Federal Reserve President Tom Barkin asserted that the Fed's current «moderately restrictive» monetary policy is appropriate given the high level of uncertainty and rapid policy changes in the U.S. government.
* The market awaits the U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures data due later in the day, which could influence expectations for interest rate