Escalating Sino-U.S. trade war remained in....>

FOREX: Escalating Sino-U.S. trade war remained in focus overnight. Hawkish trade

comments from U.S. TR Lighthizer & U.S. Tsy Sec Mnuchin noted around the Asia

open, followed by Global Times' op-ed, stating that Beijing is "ready for

temporary breakdown in talks," triggered some risk-off flows.

- NZD was the worst G10 performer, as it failed to lick the wounds inflicted by

fallout from the trade war. CNH also struggled, with USD/CNH nearing CNH6.8000

after breaching the level yesterday for the first time since mid-Feb.

- CAD topped the G10 leaderboard, in an apparent carryover from yesterday's

strength, noted on the back of firmer WTI prices & comments from BoC Gov Poloz,

who pointed to stabilising domestic housing mkt.

- AUD pared initial losses linked to Sino-U.S. trade matters, with participants

awaiting the latest RBA MonPol decision, due later today, which will likely

overshadow better than exp. local data prints & rallying iron ore prices.

- After the RBA's MonPol decision, the Riksbank will release its latest MonPol

meeting minutes, with German factory orders also due. BoE's Cunliffe & Haldane,

Fed's Kaplan & Quarles, as well as Riksbank's Ingves are set to make addresses.