Risk Aversion Creeps Back as Markets Unconvinced by Trump's Temporary Tariff Exemptions

Action Insight Daily Report 3-7-25

Risk Aversion Creeps Back as Markets Unconvinced by Trump's Temporary Tariff Exemptions

Risk sentiment in the forex markets appears to be tilting towards risk aversion in Asian trading, marking a shift from the broad Dollar selloff earlier in the week. Overnight, US President Donald Trump granted temporary tariff exemptions for Canadian and Mexican goods under the USMCA, delaying a full-scale implementation until April 2. While this provided some relief for Canadian Dollar, overall market sentiment remained fragile, with major US equity indexes closing in the red, led by losses in NASDAQ.

The temporary exemption covers roughly 50% of Mexican imports and 38% of Canadian imports. However, Trump's move has done little to inspire confidence, as markets remain skeptical about his erratic trade policies. Investors have become wary of his inconsistent messaging—one day insisting on strict tariff enforcement, the next day granting exemptions. This unpredictability has left traders cautious, unsure of how to position for potential future shifts in trade policy.

Despite the tariff delay, risk-sensitive currencies like Australian and New Zealand Dollars have come under renewed selling pressure in Asia. The broader market focus has shifted toward the April 2 deadline, when Trump’s proposed “reciprocal tariffs” are set to take effect. These tariffs will target foreign nations that impose import taxes on US goods, keeping trade war fears firmly in play.

Adding to market unease is the upcoming US non-farm payrolls report. With sentiment already on shaky ground, any significant weakness in the jobs data could deepen risk aversion. While a weaker NFP might increase expectations for a Fed rate cut, traders are growing concerned that deteriorating labor market conditions could signal a sharper economic slowdown. This dynamic suggests that even rising Fed cut bets may not be enough to offset broader recession fears....

Full Report Here

Top Movers | HeatMap | Pivot Points | Pivot Meters | Action Bias | Vol

USD/CHF Daily Outlook

Daily Pivots: (S1) 0.8800; (P) 0.8863; (R1) 0.8900; More

Intraday bias in USD/CHF remains on the downside for the moment. Rise from 0.8374 should have completed at 0.9222, after rejection by 0.9223 key resistance. Deeper fall should be seen to 61.8% retracement of 0.8374 to 0.9200 at 0.8690 next. On the upside, above 0.8924 minor resistance will turn intraday bias neutral first. But rise will now stay on the downside as long as 0.9035 resistance holds, in case of recovery.

Full Report Here

EURUSD | USDJPY | GBPUSD | USDCHF | AUDUSD | USDCAD

EURJPY | EURGBP | EURCHF | EURAUD | GBPJPY

Recommended Readings

USD/JPY Under Pressure—Recovery Could Be Capped by Resistance

Ancient History Rhyming

NFP Preview: February 2025 Jobs Report and US Dollar Impact

AUDUSD Rallies Ahead of NFP Report

EURUSD Continues to Trend Higher, on Track for the Biggest Weekly Gain in Five Years

USDJPY Wave Analysis

EURCAD Wave Analysis

ECB Review: ‘Meaningfully Less Restrictive’

Fundamental Analysis | Technical Analysis
In-depth Reports
alt
ECB Review: ‘Meaningfully Less Restrictive’
alt
What is the Impact of Tariffs on the U.S. Economy?
alt
U.S. Tariffs on Canada Take Effect: What is the State of Play?
alt
Trump 2.0 & Rising Restrictive Global Trade Policy
Economic Calendar
GMT Ccy Events Actual Forecast Previous Revised
03:02 CNY Trade Balance (USD) Feb 170.5B 147.5B 104.8B
07:00 EUR Germany Factory Orders M/M Jan -2.40% 6.90%
07:45 EUR France Trade Balance (EUR) Jan -4.1B -3.9B
08:00 CHF Foreign Currency Reserves (CHF) Feb 736B
10:00 EUR Eurozone GDP Q/Q Q4 0.10% 0.10%
13:30 CAD Net Change in Employment Feb 17.8K 76K
13:30 CAD Unemployment Rate Feb 6.70% 6.60%
13:30 CAD Capacity Utilization Q4 79.00% 79.30%
13:30 USD Nonfarm Payrolls Feb 156K 143K
13:30 USD Unemployment Rate Feb 4% 4%
13:30 USD Average Hourly Earnings M/M Feb 0.30% 0.50%