Risk better bid as US/China line up...........>

FOREX: Risk better bid as US/China line up September trade talks

-Commodity-tied currencies modestly outperform in early Europe, with CAD and AUD

both higher as markets eyed comments from China's Ministry of Commerce, who

appear to be laying the groundwork for a September meeting with their US

counterparts. China soothed sentiment somewhat by stating the two countries

remain in effective communication on trade and expressed a preference for talks

that prioritise the removal of fresh tariffs. The gains in AUD/USD, however,

were small, with markets remaining uncomfortably close to recent cycle lows

printed at $0.6677.

-GBP remains sold, with yesterday's $1.2157 lows eyed as first support. The

legal standing of the government's decision to shutter parliament is yet to be

concluded, keeping markets shy of boosting GBP/USD back toward this week's

highs.

-US GDP, trade balance, weekly jobless claims data and preliminary German

inflation are the calendar highlights Thursday. The speaker schedule is empty

today.