* U.S. bills back Hong Kong protesters
* China to strive to reach "phase one" deal with U.S.
* U.S. weekly initial jobless claims data due at 1330 GMT (Updates prices, adds comments and details)
By Sumita Layek
Nov 21 (Reuters) - Gold prices held steady on Thursday, supported by concerns that U.S. legislation on Hong Kong could increase tensions between the United States and China and delay an interim trade deal.
Spot gold XAU= was little changed at $1,470.75 per ounce by 0746 GMT. U.S. gold futures GCcv1 were down 0.2% to $1,471.00.
"There is the possibility that the deal might not be completed this year, so that is a key support factor," said John Sharma, an economist with National Australia Bank.
The metal dipped slightly after China said it would strive to reach a "phase one" trade deal with the United States, before recovering the lost ground. price momentum is a bit see-saw, something positive on trade pushes gold down, something negative takes it higher," Sharma added.
Global stocks faltered as Washington and Beijing sparred over U.S. bills on Hong Kong, and trade experts and people close to the White House said completion of a "phase one" deal could slide into next year. (bills) could pose challenges to the trade deal ... there might be some progress because both the countries will see there is some benefit to cooperation, but the quality and duration (of a deal) is uncertain," Sharma said.
The protracted dispute has pushed gold, considered a safe asset in times of political and economic uncertainty, about 14% higher this year.
Minutes from the Federal Reserve's October policy meeting offered little guidance on what would cause policymakers to change their minds on the outlook after an increasingly divided Fed decided to pause its easing cycle. minutes showing that there is no need for a fourth interest rate cut is weighing slightly on gold," said Jigar Trivedi, a commodities analyst at Mumbai-based Anand Rathi Shares & Stock Brokers.
Lower interest rates reduce the opportunity cost for holding the non-yielding bullion.
However, gold will remain supported as "no one knows when the trade war will be exited", said Trivedi, adding the $1,460 level would act as a technical support while resistance was at $1,480.
Investors now await the U.S. weekly initial jobless claims data due at 1330 GMT for clues about the health of the world's largest economy.
Elsewhere, silver XAG= shed 0.2% to $17.10 per ounce.
Silver demand will edge 1% higher this year, reducing global oversupply, consultancy Metals Focus said. XPD= lost 0.3% to $1,760.97 per ounce and platinum XPT= fell 0.3% to $914.48.