Trade fear hits dollar

THE Australian dollar has fallen to its lowest level since Christmas, as metals prices fall on the back of worries about a possible international trade war.

Early yesterday, the local currency was worth 77.19 US cents, down from 77.93 US cents on Friday.

Early on Saturday morning, Australian time, the Australian dollar fell as low as 77.10 US cents, after copper prices hit a one-week low as the US dollar recovered and concerns lingered that US tariffs could provoke a trade war.