Canadian dollar hits one-week low as trade dispute revives economic worries

Kitco Media
By Reuters
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Reuters
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TORONTO, Aug 26 (Reuters) - The Canadian dollar weakened to a one-week low against its U.S. counterpart on Wednesday as the greenback posted broad-based gains ​and trade uncertainty revived concerns over Canada's economic outlook.

The loonie was ‌trading 0.4% lower at 1.3885 per U.S. dollar, or 72.02 U.S. cents, after touching its weakest intraday level since August 19 at 1.3892.

"The (trade) dispute has capped the currency’s recent ​recovery by reviving concerns over exports, investment and business confidence," said ​Kevin Ford, FX & macro strategist at Convera.

The U.S. imposed new ⁠50% tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian imports on Saturday after talks between ​the two countries collapsed.

Canada hit back on Tuesday with retaliatory tariffs on about $20 ​billion worth of U.S. annual imports and rolled out aid for businesses and workers.

The U.S. dollar (.DXY), opens new tab rose against a basket of major currencies after U.S. inflation data slightly increased expectations ​for a rate hike from the Federal Reserve ahead of the Jackson Hole ​symposium of central bankers this week.

"A clear hawkish signal from Fed Chair Kevin Warsh at ‌Jackson ⁠Hole could extend the move (in USD-CAD) above 1.39, although Warsh may retain his cautious communication style," Ford said. "Canada’s second-quarter GDP report will test the other side of the pair by showing whether the spring rebound carried enough momentum ​into the tariff shock."

Economists ​expected data ⁠on Friday to show that Canada's economy grew at an annualized rate of 3.4% in the second quarter after ​two straight quarterly contractions.

The price of oil, one of Canada's major ​exports, edged ⁠down as investors focused on Strait of Hormuz talks between Iran and Oman, while shipping disruption continued in the major oil-exporting region. U.S. crude oil futures ⁠were ​trading 0.1% lower at $82.27 a barrel.

Canadian government bond ​yields rebounded across the curve. The 10-year was up 4 basis points at 3.662% after touching ​an earlier near-two-week low at 3.614%.

Reporting by Fergal Smith; Editing by Chris Reese

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