FOREX.com by StoneX logo

Canadian Dollar Forecast: USD/CAD Breakout Looms on Trump Tariffs

USD/CAD may face increased volatility with the US on track to deploy reciprocal tariffs on April 2.

David Song
David Song

Share this:

Canadian Dollar Forecast: USD/CAD Breakout Looms on Trump Tariffs

Canadian Dollar Outlook: USD/CAD

USD/CAD still trades within the opening range for March as it bounces back ahead of the monthly low (1.4239), but the exchange rate may face increased volatility with the US on track to deploy reciprocal tariffs on April 2.

Canadian Dollar Forecast: USD/CAD Breakout Looms on Trump Tariffs

USD/CAD attempts to retrace the decline from the weekly high (1.4402) as Canada’s Retail Sales report shows a 0.6% decline in January versus forecasts for 0.4% contraction, and signs of a slowing economy may push the Bank of Canada (BoC) to further reduce interest rates as ‘the pervasive uncertainty created by continuously changing US tariff threats is restraining consumers’ spending intentions and businesses’ plans to hire and invest.’

Join David Song for the Weekly Fundamental Market Outlook webinar.

David provides a market overview and takes questions in real-time. Register Here

 

In turn, the Canadian Dollar may face headwinds ahead of the next BoC meeting on April 16 as the central bank acknowledges that ‘monetary policy cannot offset the impacts of a trade war,’ but it seems as though the Governing Council is in no rush to implement additional rate-cuts as Governor Tiff Macklem warns that ‘there can be no doubt about our commitment to low inflation.’

Until then, the ongoing transition in US trade policy may continue to sway USD/CAD as it clouds the outlook for the global economy, but the exchange rate may track the flattening slope in the 50-Day SMA (1.4344) should it continue to trade within the opening range for March.

With that said, USD/CAD may consolidate over the remainder of the month as it holds within the opening range for March, but failure to defend the price range may lead to a test of the February low (1.4151).

USD/CAD Price Chart – Daily

USDCAD Daily Chart 03212025

Chart Prepared by David Song, Senior Strategist; USD/CAD Price on TradingView

  • USD/CAD may continue to trade within a defined range as it rebounds ahead of the monthly low (1.4239), and lack of momentum to break/close below the 1.4210 (78.6% Fibonacci extension) to 1.4270 (38.2% Fibonacci retracement) zone may push the exchange rate back towards the 1.4470 (23.6% Fibonacci retracement) to 1.4510 (23.6% Fibonacci extension) region.
  • Nevertheless, the range bound price action may turn out to be temporary, with a close above the 1.4470 (23.6% Fibonacci retracement) to 1.4510 (23.6% Fibonacci extension) region bringing the 1.4600 (61.8% Fibonacci extension) to 1.4660 (38.2% Fibonacci extension) area on the radar.
  • At the same time, a break/close below the 1.4210 (78.6% Fibonacci extension) to 1.4270 (38.2% Fibonacci retracement) zone may lead to test of the February low (1.4151), with the next area of interest coming in around 1.4110 (50% Fibonacci retracement).

Additional Market Outlooks

EUR/USD Post-Fed Weakness Pulls RSI Back from Overbought Zone

Gold Price Rally Pushes RSI Back into Overbought Territory

AUD/USD Fails to Test February High Ahead of Fed Rate Decision

British Pound Forecast: GBP/USD Vulnerable to Dovish Bank of England (BoE)

--- Written by David Song, Senior Strategist

Follow on Twitter at @DavidJSong

Get our guide to central banks and interest rates in 2025

Get our guide to central banks and interest rates in 2025

Related tags:

The complete CFD trading experience

Award-winning platforms, competitive spreads, low commissions and dedicated support.

We live and breathe the markets and are dedicated to helping traders realise their ambitions as we continue to set the industry bar.

Economic calendar

Web Trader platform

Our sophisticated web-based platform is packed with features.

Related articles

StoneX Europe Ltd may make third party material available on this website which may contain information included but not limited to the conditions of financial markets. The material is for information purposes only and does not contain, and should not be construed as containing, investment advice and/or investment recommendation and/or an investment research and/or an offer of or solicitation for any transactions in financial instruments; any decision to enter into a specific transaction shall be made by the client following an assessment by him/her of their situation.

StoneX Europe Ltd makes no representation or warranty and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, nor any loss arising from any investment based on a recommendation, forecast or other information supplied. You should always seek independent advice as to your suitability to speculate in any related markets and your ability to assume the associated risks, if you are at all unsure. We are not under any obligation to update any such material. Any opinion made may be personal to the author and may not reflect the opinion of StoneX Europe Ltd.

It's your world. Trade it.