* Investors look past U.S.-China trade dispute
* Euro climbs to fresh 2009 high vs the dollar
* Dollar index swings between gains and losses (Recasts, adds comment, updates prices)
By Nick Olivari
NEW YORK, Sept 14 (Reuters) - The dollar fell against the euro on Monday, erasing earlier gains, as investors looked past a United States-China trade dispute and took on more risk.
U.S. stocks pared losses <.N>, reflecting higher risk appetite and reduced safe-haven demand for the dollar as investors stuck to the recent theme of changes in risk tolerance driving dollar action.
The euro recovered from losses and moved into positive territory against the dollar on buying of the euro against the pound, said Kathy Lien, director of currency research at GFT Forex.
She said the move into the euro at the expense of sterling followed a Moody's report that the ratings company's outlook for UK banks remained negative with a negative credit outlook for the next 12 to 18 months, reflecting weakness in the domestic economic environment. [ID:nWLA3261].
"The correction in the euro (this morning) should not be mistaken for a dollar bottom," said Lien.
The euro was up 0.4 percent on the day at $1.4619
Sterling fell 0.4 percent against the dollar
The dollar index, which measure the dollar against a basket of six currencies <.DXY>, swung between gains and losses on the day but last traded up 0.1 percent at 76.677, marking the first day of gains in seven sessions.
CHINA DISPUTE
Early trading was dominated by the China/U.S. trade dispute after President Barack Obama on Friday duties on tire imports from China that would put additional duties of 35 percent on Chinese-made tires from Sept. 26.
China struck back, announcing its own anti-dumping investigations of U.S. motor vehicles and chicken products. [ID:nLD514738]
The dispute raised concern and increased uncertainty that the fragile global economic recovery could be derailed, adding to the dollar's allure as a safe haven while keeping investors wary of risky positions.
"The escalation of protectionism from the U.S. will concern many, particularly due to its potential impact on the global recovery," Camilla Sutton, a currency strategist at Scotia Capital in Toronto, said in a note to clients.
While the latest tension between Washington and Beijing initially lowered risk demand on Monday, strategists said it was unlikely to put a lasting hole in the market's appetite for risk over the longer term. That will lead to ongoing pressure on the dollar.
AUSSIE, KIWI FALTER
The Australian dollar fell 0.4 percent to $0.8603
But many analysts said the dollar's rebound was temporary, as the greenback would be undermined by falling Treasury yields and a view it was replacing the yen as a funding currency.
Talk of Asian central banks diversifying from U.S. dollars into other currencies and assets, including gold, contributed to dollar-selling last week.
At the same time, the dollar's sell-off last week left the market with its biggest net short position in the currency in more than a year, and some analysts said this may keep investors cautious about pushing it much lower for now.
Against the yen, the dollar rose 0.2 percent 90.89 yen
Traders said large options barriers around 90.00 yen and 90.50 yen would likely slow the yen's gains versus the dollar.
Japan's Vice Finance Minister Yasutake Tango said on Monday officials are watching currency moves closely but declined to comment on specific levels. [ID:nT130008]. (Additional reporting by Naomi Tajitsu in London; Editing by Dan Grebler)