This is a first. Gold crossed, Friday, March 14, the level of the $ 3,000 (2,752 euros) the ounce, galvanized by its status of refuge value in the end of geopolitical concerns and the trade war started by the United States of Donald Trump. The Once d’Or thus climbed on Friday up to 3,004.94 dollars (or 2,756 euros). Around 11:40 a.m. in Paris, she took 3.36 % at 2,990.20 dollars (or 2,741 euros).
The latest threat to the American president, on European alcohol, has largely contributed in recent hours to raise the price of yellow metal: he announced Thursday that he wanted to tax 200 % champagnes, wines and other alcohols in France and the European Union (EU) if the 50 % customs tariffs announced by Brussels on American whiskey were not abandoned.
“The equation remains simple for gold: the higher the customs duties, the greater the uncertainty and the greater the demand”summarizes Stephen Innes, analyst at SPI Am. “Growth concerns” global, which could be penalized by these customs surcharges, “Strengthen the role of gold as ultimate coverage in an increasingly fragile economic context”believes the analyst.
The Once d’Or had already exceeded its previous February record on Thursday in the wake of the new announcements of Donald Trump. The Minister of the French Economy, Eric Lombard, reacted on Friday by denouncing a “IdiTe War” with the United States. The EU had announced customs duties on several American products on Wednesday, including Bourbon, motorcycles and boats, in retaliation for American surcharges of 25 % on steel and aluminum that comes into force on the same day.
Central banks increase their gold reserves
“The doubts about the peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia have increased uncertainty” On the markets, also supporting the course of precious metal, adds Russ Mould, analyst at AJ Bell. Vladimir Putin pointed out on Thursday that “Important questions” should be settled concerning the United States’s proposal for a truce in Ukraine, Donald Trump wishing to be implemented without delay.
The Ukrainian head of state, Volodymyr Zelensky, has warned against “The very predictable and very manipulative words of Putin in response to the idea” From this ceasefire that kyiv accepted.
The price of gold finally benefits from the demand of central banks, which seek to protect themselves from risks thanks to ingots. After the invasion of Ukraine by Russia at the beginning of 2022, the exchange reserves of the Russian Central Bank held abroad had been frozen under the blow of international sanctions. This measure, coupled with current uncertainties concerning the American economy, pushes central banks to detach themselves from American assets in favor of gold.
“Around the world, central banks increase their gold reserves in response to the untenable structure of American debt and increasing concerns concerning the domination of the US dollar as a global reserve currency”says Daniela Sabin Hathorn, analyst at Capital.com.