08.05.201901:33 Forex Analysis & Reviews: Brent: in war as in war

When pursuing many goals, you need to be prepared for the fact that they will begin to contradict each other. With a statement about raising tariffs from 10% to 25% for $200 billion worth of Chinese imports from May 10, Donald Trump brought Brent and WTI down by more than 2%, but at the same time strengthened the dollar (safe-haven asset) against currencies of developing countries (risky assets) . The risks of escalating the trade conflict between the United States and China, the two countries, which account for one-third of global oil consumption, led to a swift attack on black gold, but information about the United States sending bombers and aircraft carriers to the Middle East messed up all the cards.

The White House wants to punish Iran by reducing its oil exports to zero, but is unhappy with the growth of Brent and WTI quotes. Threats to Tehran to block the Strait of Hormuz, which will create serious supply disruptions, force Americans to demonstrate military force. At the same time, the growth of geopolitical tensions is a "bullish" factor for black gold. Try to make both goals accomplished at the same time!

The problem with China is as difficult. Trump declares that the United States annually loses $600-800 billion from trade, of which $500 billion falls on China. This can no longer continue! But excuse me, historically, the US is a consumer country. The better their economy feels, the faster the import grows and the trade balance deficit widens. At the same time, threats to raise tariffs from May 10 and then impose the entire Chinese imports on them provoked a 6% collapse of the Shanghai Composite on fears of a slowdown in the largest Asian economy. If there is no V-shaped recovery in China's GDP, then one of the key drivers of growth of world stock indices and oil will disappear, triggering them into a deep correction.

Dynamics of the Chinese stock and oil market

Donald Trump will be pleased to rub his hands over the rollback of Brent and WTI, but the S&P 500's fall is unlikely to please him . At the same time, the dollar will strengthen, which the White House also does not want. The goals of the US president are often contradictory, but they can still be achieved. For example, during the trade war, China reduced the import of American oil from 430 thousand b/d to 100 thousand b/d. Potentially, thanks to the negotiations, not only will it return the previous figures, but also increase them by $12 billion a year.

In my opinion, the further fate of Brent and WTI will depend on two factors: a trade war and a prolongation of the agreement between OPEC and other producing countries on reducing production. The signing of an agreement on the contract of trade friction between Washington and Beijing, as well as the extension of the terms of the obligations of the cartel and Russia will make it possible for oil to continue the rally. On the contrary, the escalation of the conflict between the largest economies of the world and the increase in world production will launch a serious correction in the oil market. Technically, this can be expressed in the growth of quotations of futures for the North Sea variety above the resistance by $72.75 and $75.65, or in their fall below the support by $68.45 per barrel as part of the transformation of the "Shark" pattern in 5-0.