International News 17 September 2025
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Dollar Sinks to Four-Year Low Against Euro Ahead of Fed Decision
The U.S. dollar tumbled on Tuesday (Sept 16, 2025), sliding to its weakest level in four years against the euro as markets braced for a widely expected Federal Reserve rate cut. The euro climbed 0.9% to $1.1867, its highest since September 2021, while the dollar index dropped 0.7% to 96.636, the lowest since July 2021. Investors increasingly expect a 25 basis-point cut at Wednesday’s FOMC meeting amid clear signs of labor market weakness. Analysts see Fed Chair Jerome Powell signaling dovish intent, with potential for multiple cuts in the coming months, even as recent U.S. retail sales data surprised to the upside. The dollar’s weakness boosted other major currencies, with sterling rising 0.5% to $1.366 on easing labor market concerns in the U.K., and the euro supported by improving German investor sentiment and eurozone industrial data. Meanwhile, the greenback slipped to ¥146.35 against the yen ahead of Friday’s Bank of Japan meeting, where policy is expected to remain unchanged. On the political front, Japan faces a leadership shake-up following Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation. In crypto markets, Bitcoin gained 1% to $116,511, snapping a three-day losing streak.
Gold Hits Fresh Record Above $3,700 on Fed Rate Cut Bets
Global gold prices surged to a new record on Tuesday (Sept 16, 2025), breaking above $3,700 per ounce as markets intensified bets that the U.S. Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this week. Spot gold rose 0.5% to $3,698.67 in New York trading after hitting an all-time high of $3,702.95, while U.S. December futures advanced 0.5% to $3,736.90. Analysts pointed to a sharply weaker U.S. dollar — which fell to a two-month low against major currencies — as the key driver, alongside safe-haven demand amid global growth concerns and geopolitical risks. Markets are now pricing in a near-certain 25 basis-point rate cut, with a slim chance of a deeper 50 bps move, according to CME’s FedWatch tool. Gold has already soared about 41% year-to-date, fueled by central bank purchases, safe-haven inflows, and trade policy uncertainty, building on a 27% rally in 2024 when it first breached $3,000 per ounce. Analysts at Commerzbank see gold at $3,600 by the end of 2025, with potential to surpass $3,800 in 2026. Other precious metals saw mixed moves: silver rose 0.3% to $42.85, its strongest level since 2011, while platinum slipped 0.5% to $1,394.04 and palladium fell 0.9% to $1,173.75.
Russia’s Wheat Exports via Sea Decline Sharply in August
Russia’s seaborne wheat exports fell 16.4% year-on-year to 5.3 million tons in August 2025, according to shipping industry data released Tuesday (Sept 16). In the first two months of the new grain season, seaborne shipments totaled only 8 million tons, down 26.6% from last year. Black Sea terminals, which account for about 90% of exports, saw volumes slide 17.6% to 4.9 million tons, while exports via the Caspian Sea—mainly to Iran—rose 57.7% to 0.3 million tons. By contrast, Baltic Sea shipments serving new markets in Africa and Latin America nearly came to a halt, and Far East terminal exports dropped 41.7% to just 0.04 million tons. For the full 2024–2025 season (July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025), Russia’s seaborne wheat exports are estimated at 46 million tons, down 25.4% from the prior year. Analysts point to lower harvest volumes and government-imposed export quotas introduced in February 2025 as the main drivers of the decline, curbing Russia’s role as the world’s largest wheat exporter.
https://internasional.kontan.co.id/news/ekspor-gandum-rusia-lewat-laut-turun-164-pada-agustus-2025