March 21 (Reuters) - The dollar index climbed for the third day on Friday, hitting a two-week high due to short-covering following Fed comments and a shift towards safety ahead of the April 2 deadline for reciprocal U.S. tariffs. New York Federal Reserve President John Williams said that monetary policy is appropriately positioned at the moment, considering the economy's performance amid an uncertain outlook. Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller expressed his opposition to the central bank's recent decision to slow the reduction of its securities holdings. Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee said it remains uncertain as to whether the Trump administration's tariff plans will result in sustained inflation. The risk tone improved marginally after President Donald Trump said that he plans to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping and the two leaders will talk about tariffs, adding that there is some flexibility.
EUR/USD is set for its first weekly loss in March since February 28 on softer bund yields and as long positions are trimmed. Greek central bank chief Yannis Stournaras said a rate cut in April is increasingly likely since inflation is slowing, wage growth is moderating and service price pressures are easing. EUR/USD is hovering above the base of its 1.0796-1.0954 two-week range.
Upcoming quarter-end flows and U.S. February PCE are seen as potential directional catalysts. There will also be attention paid to progress on Ukraine ceasefire talks next week.
Friday's pivot toward havens sent EUR/CHF lower, as well. GBP/USD dipped on Friday and may see further losses before the release of the UK budget on March 26. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to reveal the largest spending cuts, further challenging an already sluggish UK economic expansion.
Associated pound weakness could see cable revisit its 200-day moving average at 1.2790-1.2800. The pair needs a close above 1.30 to entice bulls. USD/JPY reversed an earlier loss, turning higher as Treasury yields firmed following Fed comments. The pair holds a slight upward bias within a 148-150 range though haven-linked yen demand may slow its advance.
Longer-term bears are not seen exiting short positions until 151 is eclipsed. Japan data next week, including services PPI and updated PMI, will be closely examined for any signs of changing price trends. Additionally, the first-quarter Tankan report will be analyzed. AUD/USD continues to trade defensively, slipping below its 55-day moving average at 0.6279 as gold retreats and the offshore yuan weakens. China's central bank said it will cut banks' reserve requirement ratio and interest rates at the "appropriate time" and strengthen the resilience of its forex market.
Treasury yields were mixed with the curve steepening. The 2s-10s curve was up about 3 basis points to +30.7bp.
The S&P 500 slid 0.39% on weakness in the materials sector
Oil rose 0.41% on supply worries after U.S. sanctions on Iran and this week's OPEC+ output plan. Gold slipped 0.77% while U.S. copper edged down 0.05% with the stronger dollar weighing on metal prices
Heading toward the close: EUR/USD -0.30%, USD/JPY +0.27%, GBP/USD -0.32%, AUD/USD -0.43%, DXY +0.30%, EUR/JPY +0.01%, GBP/JPY -0.02%, AUD/JPY -0.15%.(Editing by Burton Frierson Reporting by Robert Fullem)