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Oil Edges Up as US, China Tamp Down Trade Tension

Oil rigs operate in Los Angeles, California, USA, 10 October 2025. EPA/CAROLINE BREHMAN
Oil rigs operate in Los Angeles, California, USA, 10 October 2025. EPA/CAROLINE BREHMAN
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Oil Edges Up as US, China Tamp Down Trade Tension

Oil rigs operate in Los Angeles, California, USA, 10 October 2025. EPA/CAROLINE BREHMAN
Oil rigs operate in Los Angeles, California, USA, 10 October 2025. EPA/CAROLINE BREHMAN

Oil prices rose on Tuesday as early signs of a thaw in US-China trade tensions bolstered market sentiment, alleviating concerns over global fuel demand.

US President Donald Trump remains committed to meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea this month, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday, as both countries try to defuse tension over tariff threats and export controls.

There were substantial communications between the two sides over the weekend and more meetings were expected, he added.

Brent crude futures rose 22 cents, or 0.4%, to $63.54 a barrel by 0405 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude was at $59.71 a barrel, up 22 cents, or 0.4%.

In the previous session, Brent settled 0.9% higher, and U.S. WTI closed up 1%.

"Oil steadied as investors weighed US–China tensions against demand," Saxo Bank analysts said in a note, adding that Trump had softened his tone and signaled openness to a deal.

The prospect of improved trade ties between the world's two largest economies has historically buoyed oil markets, as investors anticipate stronger global growth and increased fuel demand, said Reuters.

However, recent developments, such as Beijing's expanded export controls on rare earths and Trump's threats of 100% tariffs and software export curbs from November 1, have weighed on sentiment.

Last week, oil prices posted weekly losses and touched their lowest levels since May.

Trump had also cast doubt on prospects for a meeting with Xi during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea set for October 30 and November 1, saying on Truth Social, "Now there seems to be no reason to do so."

While the selloff in markets seems to be limited by the more conciliatory tone between Washington and Beijing, their relations are expected to stay in the spotlight.

"The oil industry continues to navigate geopolitical issues," said ANZ analyst Daniel Hynes.

"China announced that it would levy US-owned ships arriving at its shores, including oil tankers. That sparked several last-minute cancellations and a jump in shipping rates."

Limiting the market's upside, Trump declared the end on Monday of the two-year-long Gaza war that has disrupted the wider Middle East.

In its monthly report on Monday, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, and allies including Russia, said the oil market's supply shortfall would shrink in 2026, as the wider OPEC+ alliance proceeds with planned output increases.

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Business

Indonesia Plans a Bill to Redenominate Rupiah Currency

Stacks of Indonesian rupiah banknotes equivalent to 800 million USD is displayed in the lobby of the Attorney General's Office building during the handover of assets recovered from the corruption case involving the provision of Crude Palm Oil export facilities, in Jakarta on October 20, 2025. (Photo by BAY ISMOYO / AFP)
Stacks of Indonesian rupiah banknotes equivalent to 800 million USD is displayed in the lobby of the Attorney General's Office building during the handover of assets recovered from the corruption case involving the provision of Crude Palm Oil export facilities, in Jakarta on October 20, 2025. (Photo by BAY ISMOYO / AFP)
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Indonesia Plans a Bill to Redenominate Rupiah Currency

Stacks of Indonesian rupiah banknotes equivalent to 800 million USD is displayed in the lobby of the Attorney General's Office building during the handover of assets recovered from the corruption case involving the provision of Crude Palm Oil export facilities, in Jakarta on October 20, 2025. (Photo by BAY ISMOYO / AFP)
Stacks of Indonesian rupiah banknotes equivalent to 800 million USD is displayed in the lobby of the Attorney General's Office building during the handover of assets recovered from the corruption case involving the provision of Crude Palm Oil export facilities, in Jakarta on October 20, 2025. (Photo by BAY ISMOYO / AFP)

Indonesia's finance ministry said it is planning a new bill to redenominate the rupiah in an effort to improve economic efficiency, maintain stability and improve the currency’s credibility.

"The bill on redenomination is a carryover draft bill that is planned to be finalized in 2027," a ministry regulation reviewed on Saturday showed.

The plan to slash zeroes from the currency has been discussed in past years, Reuters reported.

The last time the government submitted a draft to Parliament was in 2013. It proposed slashing three zeroes of the rupiah banknote, but the draft was shelved. It was not immediately clear how many digits would be removed under the latest redenomination plan.

Business

China’s Central Bank Buys Gold for 12th Straight Month

A woman wearing a face mask walks on a street in Beijing, China, 06 November 2025. EPA/WU HAO
A woman wearing a face mask walks on a street in Beijing, China, 06 November 2025. EPA/WU HAO
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China’s Central Bank Buys Gold for 12th Straight Month

A woman wearing a face mask walks on a street in Beijing, China, 06 November 2025. EPA/WU HAO
A woman wearing a face mask walks on a street in Beijing, China, 06 November 2025. EPA/WU HAO

China's central banks added gold to their reserves for the 12th consecutive month in October, data from the People's Bank of China showed on Friday.

China's gold reserves increased from 74.06 to 74.09 fine troy pounds at the end October. This compares to 72.8 million ounces a year ago, a 1.8% increase.

According to the PBOC, the value of gold held by the PBOC was $297.21 billion at the end last month compared with $283.29 billion in September.

Gold spot was just above $4000 per ounce Friday, as the safe haven gained traction in the face of a weaker US dollar and as bets grew on the Federal Reserve cutting rates by December.

Gold prices were also supported by concerns over a long-term US shutdown, and the uncertainty surrounding US tariffs, according to Reuters.

In October, gold reached a new record of $4,381 an ounce.

Beijing has cut the value added tax for gold purchased via the Shanghai Gold Exchange or the Shanghai Futures Exchange.

China still hasn't released official data on gold production for the last quarter, so analysts are left without an update.

The PBOC halted their 18-month gold buying spree in May 2024. The central bank began buying gold again in November of that same year.

Business

Oil Heads for Second Weekly Loss on Lingering Oversupply Concerns

Panamanian-flagged Caribbean Glory vessel with a capacity of 2 million barrels of oil, loads crude oil at a TLU (Tanker Loading Unit) in the Gulf of Morrosquillo, operated by Cenit, owned by Ecopetrol, in Covenas, Colombia October 1, 2025. REUTERS/Nelson Bocanegra
Panamanian-flagged Caribbean Glory vessel with a capacity of 2 million barrels of oil, loads crude oil at a TLU (Tanker Loading Unit) in the Gulf of Morrosquillo, operated by Cenit, owned by Ecopetrol, in Covenas, Colombia October 1, 2025. REUTERS/Nelson Bocanegra
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Oil Heads for Second Weekly Loss on Lingering Oversupply Concerns

Panamanian-flagged Caribbean Glory vessel with a capacity of 2 million barrels of oil, loads crude oil at a TLU (Tanker Loading Unit) in the Gulf of Morrosquillo, operated by Cenit, owned by Ecopetrol, in Covenas, Colombia October 1, 2025. REUTERS/Nelson Bocanegra
Panamanian-flagged Caribbean Glory vessel with a capacity of 2 million barrels of oil, loads crude oil at a TLU (Tanker Loading Unit) in the Gulf of Morrosquillo, operated by Cenit, owned by Ecopetrol, in Covenas, Colombia October 1, 2025. REUTERS/Nelson Bocanegra

Oil prices rose on Friday but remained on track for a second consecutive weekly loss after three days of declines on worries about excess supply and slowing US demand.

Brent crude futures rose 50 cents, or 0.8%, to $63.88 a barrel by 1243 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude was up 51 cents, or 0.9%, at $59.94.

Both benchmarks are poised to register weekly declines of more than 1.5% as leading global producers raise output.

"The market continues to weigh a rising oil surplus against mixed macro," said SEB analyst Ole Hvalbye, Reuters reported.

An unexpected US inventory build of 5.2 million barrels reignited oversupply fears this week, said IG Markets analyst Tony Sycamore.

US crude stocks rose more than expected on higher imports and reduced refining activity while gasoline and distillate inventories declined, the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday.

Concern over the effects of the longest government shutdown in US history also pressured oil prices.

The Trump administration has ordered flight reductions at major airports because of a shortage of air traffic controllers while private reports are pointing to a weaker US labor market in October.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, known collectively as OPEC+, decided on Sunday to increase output slightly in December. However, the group also paused further increases for the first quarter of next year, wary of a supply glut.

European and US sanctions on Russia and Iran, meanwhile, are disrupting supplies to the world's largest importers, China and India, providing some support for global markets.

China's crude imports in October rose 2.3% from September and were up 8.2% from a year earlier at 48.36 million tons, customs data showed, against a backdrop of high utilisation rates at refineries in the world's largest oil importer.

"China kept importing elevated amounts of crude in October," UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said. "That move keeps those barrels away from the OECD, where inventories remain low."

Swiss commodities trader Gunvor said on Thursday that it had withdrawn its proposal to buy the foreign assets of Russian energy company Lukoil after the US Treasury called it Russia's "puppet" and signalled that Washington opposed the deal.

"Gunvor scrapping its Lukoil assets purchase suggests the US is maintaining its maximum pressure campaign against Russia, and potential strict enforcement of sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil," said Vandana Hari at oil market analysis provider Vanda Insights.