USD/CAD Reversal: US Dollar Recovery vs Tariff-Fueled Loonie Jitters
The USD/CAD currency pair recovered around 1.4220 in European trade as the US Dollar regained nearly all of its intraday decline even as dismal US flash PMI data arrived, with market sentiment still subdued amid impending threats of 25% tariffs on imports from Canada. Technical indicators such as a falling triangle pattern and a 20-period EMA indicate a range-bound trend with additional downside risk if important support levels are violated, but a break higher may drive the pair to higher resistance levels. The USD/CAD pair rebounds as the US Dollar recovers from its intraday losses despite disappointing US flash S&P Global PMI data for February. Investor sentiment is becoming cautious against the backdrop of impending fears about possible 25% tariffs for Canadian imports from President Trump, as the Bank of Canada’s Governor threatens of drastic economic ramifications in case tariffs are levied. KEY LOOKOUTS • Move below 1.4151 support, potentially indicating a greater downtrend and driving the pair towards December lows. • US Dollar, since its strength would offset poor US PMI figures and have a strong impact on USD/CAD movements. • Potential tariff news from the US government, since policy changes would again affect investor morale and Loonie stability. • Upside breakout above 1.4246, which would initiate a rally towards resistance levels if market sentiment is supportive. The USD/CAD currency pair has been resilient with a significant rebound to close to 1.4220 as the US Dollar regained intraday losses. Even though poor flash PMI data showed contracting service sector activity in the US, the USD was strong, which helped the Loonie pair. Yet, ongoing uncertainty over prospective 25% tariffs on Canada continues to support a defensive stance for the Canadian Dollar, as President Trump’s review of tariffs further fuels investor anxiety. US Dollar strength will counter weak US PMI figures, and hence the currency recovery will be a key driver for USD/CAD action. Tariff uncertainty is still a major factor, so watch closely for any policy changes by the US administration that may further erode investor confidence and Loonie stability. A fall below 1.4151 may see further selling towards December lows, but good US Dollar resilience holds the pair up even in the face of poor PMI data. Tariff uncertainty is still a major issue, and a breakout above 1.4246 on the upside may release further bullish momentum. • The USD regained its losses rapidly, supporting the pair to recover around 1.4220. • Even after disappointing US flash PMI, the strength of the USD is a major driver. • Speculation of possible 25% tariffs on Canadian imports continues to disturb investor confidence. • The pair is in a descending triangle with a support around 1.4151. • Overlapping of the Loonie price by the 20-period EMA indicates a sideways trend. • The RSI is still in the 40-60 region, showing indecision among market participants. • A bullish move above 1.4246 would potentially see the pair touching resistance areas at 1.4300 and 1.4380, or face further downtrends if it breaks below 1.4151. The US Dollar made a significant comeback in European trading sessions, recovering the majority of its previous losses following miserable US flash S&P Global PMI data. Investors seem to be taking the strength of the US Dollar despite the mixed signals from the economy, showing confidence in the overall strength of the currency. The USD/CAD currency pair has remained strong as the US Dollar recovers from previous losses despite poor US flash PMI figures for February. Investors are looking at the prospects for US monetary policy and the possible effect of an economic slowdown, which has not had a significant impact on the strength of the US Dollar. USD/CAD Daily Price Chart Chart Source: TradingView Meanwhile, market players are still wary as a result of impending threats from possible tariff measures. With President Trump considering not imposing 25% tariffs on Canadian imports and Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem sounding the alarm about dire economic consequences, sentiment on the Canadian dollar is still guarded in this state of uncertainty. TECHNICAL ANALYSIS USD/CAD chart is characterized by a falling triangle formation, with significant support and resistance levels portending future direction. The 20-period EMA overlap signals that there is no strong momentum, while the 14-period RSI, which is always within a neutral range, points to the fact that traders are presently indecisive. Such technical indicators suggest that the market is in consolidation mode, and future price action will be guided by a definitive break from the present balance. FORECAST In case market sentiment turns negative, a breakdown below significant support levels would increase selling pressure, driving the pair towards lower levels seen in earlier sessions. Such a decline may be supported by ongoing economic uncertainties and policy issues, which would lead investors to take a more risk-averse approach that may extend the bearish trend. Conversely, if there is renewed buying interest and momentum picks up, the pair might rally towards higher resistance levels, re-establishing a more bullish trading regime. This would be an indication of enhanced confidence in economic indicators and an adjustment of policy risks, leading to a broader market rebound.