US-EU: EU Trade Commissioner Speaks Following Tariff Joint Statement Release
Aug-21 11:45
European Commission Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic is speaking at a press conference following the publication of the joint statement with the US on the trade and tariffs agreement reached in July. Livestream here.
- Jorge Liboreiro at Euronews: "Notable: the EU commits to making adjustments to three laws that have raised "concerns" on the US side. Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) What about the [Digital Markets Act], the [Digital Services Act] and the AI Act? Are Brussels and Washington on the same page? Sefcovic says "we kept these issues out of the trade negotiations," but admits the US might bring them up later down the road. "For us, the regulatory autonomy is absolutely important."
- Finbar Bermingham at SCMP: "Sefco says the sides "intend to collaborate to shield our economies from overcapacity in the steel and aluminium sectors...In practice, we will work together on tariff rate quota solutions to ensure security of supply in these critical industries"
- Sefcovic acknowledges that "unfortunately, we did not succeed in getting the beer, wine, and spirits sector in the current US framework trade agreement yet...I want to emphasise the word "yet"...these doors are not closed forever".
- Sefcovic claims that an EU proposal 'this month' would mean US autos tariffs would come down to 15% retroactively from 1 August. Germany's auto association, the VDA, says the EU 'must act fast' for this to happen, as companies 'urgently need clarity and planning security.'
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FOREX: Bullish Indicators Prevailing for EUR Crosses
Jul-22 11:15
- Similar bullish sentiment is seen in the crosses, with EURJPY and EURNZD recently extending their impressive rallies from the June lows to 6% and 4.5% respectively.
- Trepidation surrounding the Japanese election/fiscal outlook has contributed to the significant EURJPY upswing, and fresh cycle highs last week reinforce current conditions. Sights are on 173.43 (Jul 12 ‘24 high) before a key medium-term resistance level at 175.43, the July 11 ’24 high.
- Lower-than-expected New Zealand CPI on Monday has contributed to NZD underperformance this week, providing a noteworthy tailwind for EURNZD (below), which has risen to a fresh 3-month high above 1.9650 this morning. Moving average studies continue to support the cross well, signalling scope for an extension of the rally towards 1.9755 and 2.0011. Initial support at the 20-day EMA moves up to 1.9458.
- Fresh cycle highs last week maintain the price sequence of higher highs and higher lows for EURGBP, also highlighting a dominant uptrend. A resumption of gains would open key resistance at 0.8738, the 2025 high. Support to watch is 0.8620, the 20-day EMA.
Source: Bloomberg Finance L.P. / MNI
OUTLOOK: Price Signal Summary - Bear Cycle In Gilts Still In Play
Jul-22 11:15
- In the FI space, Bund futures traded higher Monday. The climb resulted in a move through resistance around the 50-day EMA, at 130.22. A clear break of the EMA would undermine the recent bear theme and highlight a possible reversal. This would open 130.76 initially, the Jul 4 high. Clearance of this level would strengthen a bullish theme. A key support and the bear trigger has been defined at 129.08, the Jul 14 low.
- A bear cycle in Gilt futures remains in play and for now, Monday’s strong gains are considered corrective. Recent weakness resulted in a break of support at 91.63, the Jul 2 low. Price has also traded through 91.50, the 61.8% retracement of the May 22 - Jul 1 bull leg. The move down exposes 90.97, the 76.4% retracement point. Clearance of this level would strengthen a bearish theme. Initial firm resistance is at 91.97, the 20-day EMA.
FOREX: Single Currency Optimism Remains as ECB Approaches
Jul-22 11:12
- Largely reflective of the broad greenback weakness on Monday owing to the trans-Atlantic tariff tiff, EURUSD edged back above the 1.17 where spot has since been consolidating on Tuesday. Latest developments keep bullish conditions for the pair firmly intact as we approach this Thursday’s Eurozone flash PMIs and ECB decision/press conference.
- The ECB is expected to hold its policy rate at 2.00%, after President Lagarde emphasised that policy was in a "good place" at the June decision. Economic data since June has generally confirmed the ECB's outlook, but tariff uncertainty has once again ratcheted higher after President Trump's latest threat of a 30% reciprocal rate from August 1.
- EURUSD trend indicators continue to highlight a dominant uptrend, supportive of the numerous sell-side forecasts predicting a move to 1.20 and above over the second half of 2025. A stronger resumption of gains from here would renew the focus on 1.1829, the Jul 1 high and the bull trigger.
- Support to watch lies at the 50day EMA, an average the pair has not closed below since late February. It currently intersects at 1.1525, and a clear break would be required to signal a stronger reversal.
