Most Latin American currencies weakened against the dollar on Monday, while stocks were mixed as markets awaited clarity on U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff plans.
Trump threatened an additional 10% tariff on any countries aligning themselves with the “Anti-American policies” of the BRICS group of developing nations, whose leaders are meeting in Brazil.
The nations brushed away the accusation, but their assets took a hit.
South Africa’s currency fell 1%, putting it on course for its steepest single day fall in more than two weeks.
Trump said on Sunday the U.S. was close to finalizing several trade pacts in the coming days and would notify other countries by July 9 of higher tariff rates, that would not come into effect until August 1.
In April, Trump announced a base tariff rate of 10% on most countries and additional duties of up to 50%, although he later delayed the effective date for all but the 10% until July 9. The new date offers countries a three-week reprieve.
The back and forth on how U.S. trade policy would be implemented has revived uncertainty, pushing traders to sell off riskier assets and buy safer ones.
The dollar index gained 0.3%, leaving it poised to recoup some of its declines from the last week, and pressuring many emerging market currencies.
Juan Perez, director of trading at Monex, said the threatened BRICS tariffs showed how anyone trying to trade against U.S. dominance of the global financial system would be punished.
“It just boils down to uncertainty and the idea that there can always be unilateral decisions from the United States to do something and to increase the cost or to force people to the table,” he said.
MSCI’s index tracking Latin American currencies (.MILA00000CUS) dropped 0.7%. The currency in the world’s largest copper producer, Chile , depreciated 1.2%, with a drop in copper prices also adding to declines. Peru’s sol was down 0.3%.
Mexico’s peso was down 0.4%, while its stocks were flat.
Colombia’s peso was 0.2% lower, with rising oil prices limiting declines in the oil-export-heavy economy.
The stocks gauge for the region (.MILA00000PUS) was down 1.2%, on track for its biggest single-day percentage decline in more than a month.
Elsewhere, Turkey’s international bonds and lira weakened on Monday, and the cost of insuring government debt against default rose, following weekend detentions of opposition mayors.
