Gold Slips to May Low as China-U.S. Trade De-escalation Fuels Risk Rally

Key Takeaways:

• China-U.S. positive trade talk boosts the market sentiment.

• Improved marker risk appetite exert downside pressure on the gold.

Gold prices slid to their lowest level in May, hovering near $3,220, as renewed optimism in global markets following a breakthrough in China-U.S. trade relations dampened demand for safe-haven assets. The week-long negotiations in Switzerland culminated in both sides announcing a significant rollback of tariffs, a move that has reignited risk appetite across the financial landscape.

The de-escalation between the worlds two largest economies marks a key turning point in trade diplomacy, fueling a broad rally in equities. Wall Street closed sharply higher, with the Nasdaq Composite surging over 4%, or 779.4 points, as investor sentiment rebounded on optimism over U.S. economic resilience and the easing of geopolitical tensions.

Market volatility has also receded, with the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) falling to its lowest level since March—another sign of improving risk sentiment. The U.S. dollar strengthened on the back of the trade breakthrough, adding further downward pressure on gold prices.

Failure of gold to hold the $3,220 support level may open the door to a test of its one-month low, as investors continue to rotate out of safe-haven assets in favor of risk-driven plays.

Technical Analysis

XAUUSD, H4

Gold prices continued their descent after slipping below a key fair-value gap, followed by the formation of a large bearish candlestick — a signal that downward momentum is accelerating. The precious metal is now trading near its May low around the $3,220 level. A decisive break below this threshold could confirm a deeper bearish trend.

Technical indicators reinforce the negative outlook. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) continues to slide and is approaching oversold territory, while the MACD has crossed below the zero line — both pointing to intensifying downside pressure.

With bearish sentiment firmly in place and little in the way of safe-haven demand amid a broader risk-on rally, gold may face further declines if support at $3,220 fails to hold.

Resistance level: 3275.00, 3315.80

Support level: 3161.25, 3111.00