Gold dips under US$4,000 as safer-asset demand fades amid trade optimism

Spot gold fell below US$4,000 per ounce as improving prospects of a U.S.–China trade deal and a firming U.S. dollar reduced safe-haven demand. The drop marked the lowest points since early October. Analysts said the gold retreat reflects reduced risk premium rather than weakening fundamentals, but caution that any surprise inflation or policy shock could reverse the move. The reaction underlines how macro-risk and geopolitical cues continue to steer precious-metal flows.