Stock markets mostly fell, the dollar slid and gold hit a record high Wednesday over fears about a trade war between superpowers China and the United States. Tensions between the United States and China have soared in recent days as the world's two largest economies slapped a volley of import tariffs on each other.

The U.S. dollar edged lower on Tuesday as President Donald Trump's tariff threats were interpreted more as a negotiating tactic rather than an end goal, a day after he suspended planned measures against Mexico and Canada.

Stock markets mostly rebounded and there strong gains for Mexico's peso and Canada's dollar Tuesday after Donald Trump said he would delay tariffs on imports from the US neighbours.