• Gold price trades with caution in the countdown to a string of US economic data.
• Firm Fed rate cut hopes to keep the upside in the US Dollar limited.
• Gold price in India sinks due to customs duty reduction.

Gold price (XAU/USD) remains on the defensive slightly below the round-level resistance of $2,400 in Tuesday’s European session. The precious metal remains under pressure amid firm speculation that Donald Trump could emerge victorious in the United States (US) presidential elections in November. 

The expectations for Donald Trump gaining a second term rose after an assassination attack on him and US President Joe Biden’s withdrawal of his re-election bid from the White House. However, US Vice President Kamala Harris has been chosen as the nominee of Democrats. 

Growing speculation for Trump 2.0 has prompted upside risks to consumer inflation expectations. In a note on Monday, Australian investment bank Macquarie said, "Trump 2.0 will be a more inflationary policy regime, given restricted immigration, higher tariffs, and the extension of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2025." The scenario is favorable for the US Dollar (USD). The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, edges higher to near 104.40. An appreciation of the US Dollar makes investment in Gold more expensive for investors.