(Bloomberg) -- Treasuries climbed after U.S. President Donald Trump revived his attack on China, speculating it could have spread the coronavirus and threatening trade tariffs.
Haven demand pushed U.S. bonds higher along with the dollar and yen, with benchmark yields set for their first drop in three days. Trump is also said to be exploring blocking a government retirement fund from investing in Chinese equities on grounds of it being a security risk.
“The political narrative continues to deteriorate, with Trump threatening to impose more tariffs on China in ‘retaliation’ for coronavirus,” said Marc Ostwald, global strategist at ADM Investor Services. “Nevertheless markets will be focusing on moves in Asia, Europe and the U.S. to ease lockdown measures next week.”
Yields on longer-dated bonds fell further, flattening the curve, with those on 10-year Treasuries down four basis points to 0.60% as of 9:30 a.m. in London. A gauge for the dollar rose as much as 0.4%, poised to end its longest losing run in a month, with the greenback up 0.6% against the offshore yuan.
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