US Dollar Index treads water above 98.00 due to renewed geopolitical tensions, CPI awaited

• The US Dollar Index may gain ground due to increased safe-haven demand.

• Trump has warned to impose “very severe” tariffs on Russia if no peace deal is made within 50 days.

• Trump confirmed that European allies have agreed to buy American-made weapons for Ukraine to help counter Russian attacks.

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the value of the US Dollar (USD) against six major currencies, is edging lower after four days of gains and trading around 98.10 during the Asian hours on Tuesday. Investors are likely awaiting June's Consumer Price Index (CPI) data on Tuesday to gain fresh impetus over the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) monetary outlook.

The Greenback may regain its ground amid renewed geopolitical concerns, driven by the US President Donald Trump’s latest threat to impose “very severe” tariffs on Russia if no peace deal is reached within 50 days. Trump also warned of secondary tariffs on countries importing Russian Oil.

President Trump, alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, confirmed that European allies will purchase billions of dollars’ worth of American-made weapons, such as Patriot missile systems. These weapons will be transferred to Ukraine in the coming weeks to tackle intensified Russian attacks.

The US government immediately imposed on Monday a 17% duty on most imports of fresh tomatoes from Mexico after negotiations ended without an agreement to avert the tariff. Trump announced, on Saturday, a 30% tariff on imports from the European Union (EU) and Mexico starting August 1. He also proposed a blanket tariff rate of 15%-20% on other trading partners, an increase from the current 10% baseline rate.

Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack depicted a fundamentally robust economy, despite inflation persistently surpassing the Fed's target. Hammack highlighted the importance of keeping monetary policy restrictive. She added that they don’t know what the tariff impact will be and don’t see an imminent need to cut rates.