Loonie Pressured by Trade Friction and Cooling Inflation – Wednesday, 25 February

The Canadian dollar is facing headwinds due to a combination of factors, including renewed trade tensions with the US, softening domestic inflation, and a resilient US dollar. Despite a brief rally following a court ruling, the loonie’s gains were quickly erased by new trade policies from the US. Domestically, cooling inflation raises concerns about the Bank of Canada’s monetary policy. A strong US dollar, driven by hawkish signals from the Federal Reserve, is adding further pressure on the Canadian currency.

  • The Canadian dollar weakened toward 1.37 per US dollar.
  • New US trade policies have emerged, creating a major headwind for Canada’s export-heavy economy.
  • January CPI data showed inflation cooling to 2.3%.
  • The market anticipates the Bank of Canada may soon abandon its 2.25% pause.
  • The US dollar is resilient, supported by hawkish signals from incoming Fed leadership.
  • US core PCE holding at 3% continues to support the US dollar.
  • The narrowing of Canada’s yield advantage and renewed protectionist risks are impacting the currency.
  • The USD/CAD pair is currently trading near 1.3675.
  • The Canadian dollar is under pressure following United States President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address before Congress.

The information suggests a challenging outlook for the Canadian dollar. Trade friction, a weakening domestic economy, and external pressures from a strong US dollar are all contributing to its recent decline. These factors, combined with shifts in central bank policies, indicate a period of uncertainty for the Canadian currency, potentially impacting businesses and consumers alike.