NEW YORK (Reuters) - Gold prices rose on Monday as the dollar weakened and jitters over riots in U.S. cities, as well as rising tensions between Washington and Beijing, boosted demand for the safe-haven metal.
Spot gold was up 0.5% to $1,735.47 per ounce at 0946 GMT, having surged 1% earlier. U.S. gold futures eased 0.2% to $1,748.40.
"Higher tensions between China and U.S. is bringing safe-haven buying. Tensions within the U.S. are not helping the cause, while the dollar is pretty much on its lows,” said Afshin Nabavi, senior vice president at precious metals trader MKS SA.
The dollar fell to its lowest since mid-March, making gold less expensive for holders of other currencies.
China’s state media and the Hong Kong government lashed out on Sunday at U.S. President Donald Trump’s pledge to end Hong Kong’s special status if Beijing imposes new national security laws on the city.
Meanwhile, looting broke out on Sunday in southern California, a tanker truck drove into marchers in Minneapolis and demonstrators clashed with police in Boston and Washington, D.C. as the United States struggled to contain protests over race and policing.
Gold is seen as a safe-haven asset during times of political and economic uncertainty.