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* Platinum hits its lowest in 2-1/2 years on trade tensions
(Recasts, updates prices)
By Maytaal Angel
LONDON, June 20 (Reuters) - Gold steadied near a six monthlow on Wednesday as a dollar rally to 11 month peaks was offsetby festering global trade tensions, while platinum hit a 2-1/2year trough.
Trade tensions between the United States and China areshowing no signs of easing. On Tuesday, a White House tradeadviser said that Beijing has underestimated the U.S.president's resolve to impose more tariffs.
This was after Washington threatened on Monday to impose a10 percent tariff on $200 billion of Chinese goods after Beijingdecided to raise tariffs on $50 billion of U.S. goods inresponse to similar tariffs on Chinese goods announced Friday.
Gold, seen as a safe haven asset, usually gains fromgeopolitical or economic tensions, but has struggled this timearound because the dollar has risen strongly, makingdollar-priced gold costlier for non-U.S. investors.
"Gold is not in a good position with the (Federal Reserve)hiking (rates) and the dollar strengthening, but the reason ithasn't fallen as much as you'd expect is that safe haven demandhas sustained the price," said Capital Economics analyst SimonaGambarini.
Spot gold
U.S. gold futures
In the wider markets, equities stabilised after Tuesdaysplunge on U.S.-China trade war woes, with signs of Chinesemarket support and speculation about some monetary policy easingthere helping a rebound in Shanghai.
Rising equities tend to indicate more appetite for riskierinvestments and can weigh on safe havens like gold.
Platinum
Julius Baer said in a note that platinum remains underpressure from trade tensions and related fears of a slowdown inglobal growth, but added it does not see further downside atthese levels.
"Platinum still suffers from the diesel emission scandal andfaces a depreciating South African rand, which lowersdollar-denominated costs (for) South African producers. Whilethe market should remain well supplied against this backdrop, webelieve this is reflected in extremely negative sentiment in thefutures market. Hence, we maintain a neutral view."
Silver
(Additional reporting by Karen Rodrigues; Editing by ElaineHardcastle and Louise Heavens) ((maytaal.angel@thomsonreuters.com(00442075429105)(ReutersMessaging: maytaal.angel.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)))