AUD has caught a bid after the NYT...........>

AUSSIE: AUD has caught a bid after the NYT reported that the White House

"considered imposing tariffs on imports from Australia last week, but decided

against the move," due to "fierce opposition from military officials and the

State Department." Comments from U.S. President Trump, who praised Washington's

ties with Australia & downplayed the possibility of imposing tariffs, helped the

Aussie to extend gains.

- AUD/USD last deals at $0.6941, 4 pips better off. The rate has peaked just shy

of Friday's weekly high/23.6% fibo retracement of the move from $0.7206 to

$0.6865 at $0.6944/45. Above here opens the May 14 high of $0.6960.

- AUD/JPY last seen at Y75.13, almost unch. Bulls continue to eye Friday's/Jan 4

lows of Y75.09/24 before challenging Y75.79, where the rate peaked on Friday.

- AUD/NZD last deals at NZ$1.0609, 17 pips worse off, as the kiwi benefited from

the headlines alongside the Aussie. Bears look to the 21-DMA at NZ$1.0588, bulls

target the 200-DMA at NZ$1.0623.