The Australian dollar bounced from the lows as the US tariffs came and markets accepted them in stride. What’s next? A light calendar leaves the focus to further trade developments. Here are the highlights of the week and an updated technical analysis for AUD/USD.

The Trump Administration announced a 10% tariff on $200 billion of Chinese goods, coming into effect on September 24. The extended communication, the relatively low tariff of 10%, and the mild Chinese reaction, with only some tariffs, allowed markets to take a breather. China is Australia’s No. 1 trading partner. The RBA Meeting Minutes maintained the neutral tone and did not imply any immediate moves.

AUD/USD daily graph with support and resistance lines on it. Click to enlarge:

1. Private Sector Credit: Friday, 1:30. Extended credit results in enhanced economic activity. Credit to the private sector advanced by 0.4% in July. A more moderate increase is likely now.
2. Caixin Manufacturing PMI: Friday, 1:45. The independent gauge of economic activity in China’s manufacturing sector fell to 50.6 points in August, only slightly above the 50-point threshold that separates expansion from contraction. Australia needs Chinese demand for its metals.

*All times are GMT

AUD/USD Technical Analysis

Aussie/USD escaped the abyss and made a successful break above 0.7200 (mentioned last week).

Technical lines from top to bottom:

0.7480 capped the pair in mid-July and defends the round 0.75 level. 0.7420 capped the pair twice in mid-July. 0.7360 was a low point in mid-July.

0.7310 is the low of July 2018. 0.7235 was a swing low in late August and the pair attempted to reach it in mid-September.

The round number of 0.7200 was a temporary low. 0.7150 was a stepping stone on the way down in early September. 0.7085 is the 2018 trough.

Below, we are back to levels last seen in January 2017: 0.7050 could provide some temporary defense against an assault on the round 0.70 level. Even lower, 0.6880 is the next level to watch.

I am neutral on AUD/USD.

The reaction to trade tariffs was quite muted so far, but it is unlikely to last forever. A change of the market mood can happen on a hawkish Fed decision as well.