NZD/USD halts recovery near 0.5600 amid rising fears over US-China trade tensions

• NZD/USD could struggle as the risk-off mood increases amid the US-China trade war.
• China slapped a 15% tariff on US coal and LNG imports, along with an additional 10% tariff on crude Oil.
• Trump said on Monday afternoon that talks with China would take place probably over the next 24 hours.

NZD/USD hovers around 0.5610 during early European trading on Tuesday, facing volatility as risk-off sentiment rises due to escalating US-China trade tensions. China retaliated against the new 10% US tariff that took effect Tuesday by imposing its own tariffs: a 15% levy on US coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, along with an additional 10% on crude Oil, farm equipment, and certain automobiles.

Additionally, China’s Commerce Ministry announced export controls on tungsten, tellurium, ruthenium, molybdenum, and related products to "safeguard national security interests."

Markets are closely watching tariff negotiations. On Monday, US President Donald Trump stated he expected to speak with China within 24 hours, warning that tariffs would be "very, very substantial" if no deal is reached.

Meanwhile, Chinese exporters are accelerating efforts to offshore production to avoid US tariffs, considering relocation to the Middle East and other regions. Some are passing costs onto US consumers or seeking alternative markets, according to the Financial Times.

The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) remains under pressure amid expectations of further rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ), with markets pricing in a 50bps reduction to 3.75% this month and a potential policy rate drop to 3.0% within a year.