empty
08.05.2025 12:47 AM
EUR/USD: Awaiting the Geneva Meeting

The EUR/USD pair continues to trade within a narrow price range ahead of announcing the Federal Reserve's May meeting results. Although the outcome is largely predetermined (the central bank is expected to keep all monetary policy parameters unchanged), the major currency pairs have essentially frozen in place. This suggests a coiled spring ready to snap — the EUR/USD pair will either leap into the 1.14 area or consolidate below the 1.1300 target. Everything will depend on the tone of the accompanying statement and Jerome Powell's rhetoric.

In essence, this is classic behavior. The balance must tip one way or another, setting the direction for EUR/USD. However, under current fundamental conditions, one should not place too much trust in the market's immediate reaction, no matter how dovish or hawkish the Fed's tone is. The reason is simple: the fate of EUR/USD in the medium term will be determined not by the Fed or the European Central Bank, but by the United States and China, whose representatives are preparing to sit down for negotiations.

This image is no longer relevant

Rumors that Washington and Beijing are ready to resume dialogue began circulating last week. Details varied regarding who initiated the talks (neither side wants to appear conceding in the trade war), but the core message was the same: both parties are testing the waters for a renewed dialogue.

First, Donald Trump claimed that the Chinese were "asking for negotiations" (even hinting at a possible reduction of tariffs on Chinese imports), and shortly after, official Chinese representatives said it was the U.S. that requested the meeting. In other words, a diplomatic thaw seemed to emerge—at least on the surface. Moreover, both sides stopped threatening each other with new tariffs or countermeasures and refrained from further escalation.

And then came more: it was announced that high-level talks between U.S. and Chinese officials are scheduled for May 11–12 (Saturday and/or Sunday) in Switzerland. The U.S. will be represented by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chief Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. From China, Vice Premier for Economic Policy He Lifeng will attend.

The seniority of the negotiators is especially notable — these aren't low-level bureaucrats or diplomats but high-ranking officials with direct access to their respective leaders. This suggests that the meeting is not a symbolic gesture but could be a meaningful first step toward de-escalating the trade war between the two superpowers. This will be the first official and pre-announced meeting on trade since the White House introduced its new tariff plan and raised tariffs on China to 145%.

Still, overly high expectations could backfire for EUR/USD (and other dollar pairs). There is no guarantee the sides will find common ground or that this meeting will lead to a full-fledged negotiation process. Even Bessent is trying to lower expectations for the upcoming meeting, saying that the visit wasn't officially organized — "the stars just aligned," as both delegations happened to be in Switzerland simultaneously, prompting an informal and non-binding meeting.

Bessent also declined to answer whether Trump might lower tariffs on Chinese goods to 50–55% as a goodwill gesture to kickstart negotiations. He stated, "All options are on the president's table."

Nevertheless, despite Bessent's attempts to downplay the Geneva meeting, markets will eagerly await the outcome — and, more importantly, the follow-up statements. Even if both sides stay silent, the market response could be as intense. No result is still a result (a negative one). Traders would interpret such silence as a signal that preliminary talks have failed. Conversely, optimistic comments from either side would be interpreted in favor of the greenback — even if it's only an agreement "to agree."

In conclusion, the results of the Fed's May meeting (whatever they may be) should be considered, but not overemphasized. In contrast, Wednesday's price fluctuations should not be overreacted to, as the market will now be focused on the upcoming Geneva meeting, which could play a decisive role in the future of the dollar and the EUR/USD pair.

Irina Manzenko,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

GBP/JPY. Analysis and Forecast

Following the release of UK consumer inflation data, which came in above expectations, the GBP/JPY pair slightly pared back its intraday losses. However, it failed to attract significant buying interest

Irina Yanina 11:25 2025-05-21 UTC+2

Will Global Central Banks Continue to Cut Interest Rates? (Bitcoin May Resume Growth and USD/JPY May Decline)

Among the economically developed nations—those that belong to the Western wing of the global economy—there is an important rule: a target of 2% inflation, specifically consumer inflation. Achieving this target

Pati Gani 09:46 2025-05-21 UTC+2

Market: Do or Die!

Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent. The S&P 500 rally from the April lows—adding $8.6 trillion in market cap—often appeared irrational. Investors ignored the Federal Reserve's

Marek Petkovich 08:23 2025-05-21 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – May 21: The Rollercoaster Continues

On Tuesday, the GBP/USD currency pair declined, unlike on Monday. While the euro's movement required searching for reasons behind the dollar's drop, the technical picture for the pound is straightforward

Paolo Greco 07:46 2025-05-21 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – May 21: The Theater of Chaos and Absurdity Continues

The EUR/USD currency pair moved sluggishly on Tuesday, which was not surprising given the absence of news. Monday didn't bring much in the way of important news either

Paolo Greco 07:46 2025-05-21 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on May 21? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

Very few macroeconomic events are scheduled for Wednesday. However, the UK inflation report holds significant importance for the market, or rather, used to . As we can see, traders continue

Paolo Greco 06:45 2025-05-21 UTC+2

The Fed Maintains a Wait-and-See Approach

The market expects active measures from the U.S. central bank, while Donald Trump keeps demanding that Jerome Powell cut interest rates. It's worth noting that Powell cannot make such decisions

Chin Zhao 00:41 2025-05-21 UTC+2

The Dollar Regains Its Spirit

As the CFTC report showed, investors are still not very impressed that the US and China have managed to reduce trade tensions and take a pause for negotiations

Kuvat Raharjo 00:26 2025-05-21 UTC+2

EUR/USD: Weak Dollar Meets Indecisive Euro

The EUR/USD pair has consolidated above the 1.1200 level, reflecting the overall weakening of the U.S. dollar. The "bearish attack" we witnessed last week ended in failure. EUR/USD sellers were

Irina Manzenko 19:35 2025-05-20 UTC+2

Euro Exhausts Bullish Momentum

Inflation in the eurozone remained unchanged in April compared to March, fully in line with forecasts—2.2% year-over-year for the headline index, and 2.7% year-over-year for the core index. This inflation

Kuvat Raharjo 19:16 2025-05-20 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.