Peace, softer tariffs put squeeze on dollar to end bruising week, Macquarie says

Published 15/02/2025, 09:30 am
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Investing.com -- The dollar retreated sharply this week as the prospect of peace in Ukraine and the deceleration in the "tariff train" overshadow the uptick in inflation that has put the squeeze on rate cut hopes, Macquarie said in a recent note.

The US Dollar Index Futures fell 0.3% to 106.79, taking weekly losses to about 1.4%. 

"The USD's slump this week...is due to two broad narratives. The first narrative is that there has been a clear deceleration of the 'tariff train', even as the headlines about US import tariffs remain frequent," analysts from Macquarie said.

U.S. President Trump's tariff threats are increasingly being views as a negotiation tool as the president following grace periods granted to both Mexico and Canada, the one-month delay for imposing the steel and aluminum tariffs, and the move to explore "fair and reciprocal" tariffs rather than implement measures immediately. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin's agreement to work toward a ceasefire in Ukraine following talks with Trump has stoked fresh hopes for peace in Ukraine, meanwhile, knocking the safe-haven wind out of the dollar's sails.

"Traders and we still see the direction pointing toward a peace deal, especially for a War that has gone on far too long (three years) with merely a 'stalemate' to show for itself," the analysts said.

The dollar's weak showing comes even as data this week triggered fresh concerns about sticky inflation, prompting many Fed members including chairman Jerome Powell to remain patient on rate cuts. 

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