Gold climbs above $4,100 as investors brace for deeper US-China rift

• XAU/USD surges nearly 2% to $4,095 as traders pile into Gold amid global trade and political turmoil.
• Trump softens tone after vowing 100% tariffs on Chinese goods, while meeting with Xi still expected this month.
• Government shutdown keeps economic data sidelined, with Fed's Anna Paulson set to speak on global outlook.

Gold price continues to print record highs now it passed the $4,100 milestone during the North American session, as US-China's trade war escalated last week, boosting the safe-haven appeal of Bullion. XAU/USD trades at $4,095 up nearly 2%.

Bullion extends record-breaking rally amid tariff threats, central bank demand, and ongoing US government shutdown

Geopolitics are playing the biggest role in setting Gold prices, along with central bank buying. Last week, US President Trump threatened to impose 100% duties on China's goods as retaliation for China's rare earth export controls. Nevertheless, Trump backpedaled as it posted on Truth Social that "Don't worry about China, it will all be fine!"

The US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that he still expects Trump to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea later this month.

Meanwhile, the government shutdown would keep economic data on the backseat, as traders would be focused on politics and Federal Reserve officials crossing the wires.

Later, Philadelphia Fed President Anna Paulson, would cross the wires in a conference about the "Global Economy in Transition." She is succeeding Patrick Harker and will be a voter at the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) next year.

Daily market movers: Gold rallies amid global political turmoil

• Bullion prices are moving in tandem as the Dollar strengthens sharply across the board. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the performance of the buck's value against a basket of six currencies, rallies 0.35% up at 98.24.
• Conversely, the US 10-year Treasury note yield dives eight basis points to 4.059%. US real yields -- which correlate inversely to Gold prices -- are also diving nearly eight and a half bps to 1.742%.
• The US government shutdown is on its thirteen day. A Bloomberg article revealed that Trump's permanent layoffs, hardened Democrats skepticism of Republicans and may prolong the government shutdown.
• Reuters revealed that analysts at Bank of America and Societe Generale, expect Gold to hit $5,000 in 2026. Standard Chartered has raised its forecast to an average of $4,488 next year.
• The US bank Goldman Sachs updated its Gold forecasts for 2026 from $4,300 to $4,900, citing strong flows into Gold ETFs and central bank demand.
• Money markets indicate that the Fed will cut interest rates by 25 basis points (bps) at the upcoming October 29 meeting. The odds stand at 97%, according to the Prime Market Terminal interest rate probability tool.

Technical outlook: Gold's remains bullish, set to target $4,150

Gold's technical outlook remains firmly bullish, poised to extend its gains past $4,100. A daily close above the latter would likely confirm further upside momentum, clearing the way to test $4,150 and the $4,200 mark.

Momentum indicators reinforce the bullish bias -- the Relative Strength Index (RSI) remains in overbought territory above 70, signaling strong buying pressure. However, readings above 80 may indicate an overextended uptrend.

Meanwhile, a daily close below $4,100 could clear the path to remain range-trading within the previous all-time high of $4,059 and the new record high of $4,103. A breach of the former, could expose $4,000 with further downside seen at the October 1 peak turned support at $3,895, followed by the 20-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) near $3,840.