*
Trump extends EU trade talk deadline to July 9
*
Citi upgrades its zero-to-three month gold price target
*
Markets in the United States and Britain closed
By Anmol Choubey
May 26 - Gold prices fell nearly 1% on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump dropped his threat to impose 50% tariffs on goods from the European Union from June 1, reducing demand for the safe-haven asset.
Spot gold slipped 0.8% at $3,332.04 an ounce by 1250 GMT. U.S. gold futures fell 1% to $3,331.90.
"I would call it a range-trading day," said Giovanni Staunovo, UBS analyst, attributing the modest drop in prices to Trump's decision to delay the imposition of higher tariffs on the EU.
"With U.S. Memorial Day, activity is likely to be on the lower end today."
Markets in the United States and Britain were closed on Monday due to public holidays.
Trump on Sunday restored a July 9 deadline to allow for talks between Washington and the European Union to produce a deal.
On Friday, gold prices recorded their best week in six last week, after Trump renewed tariff threats on EU goods and said he was considering a 25% tariff on any Apple iPhones that are sold in the U.S. but not made there.
"We still look for higher prices over the coming months, expecting the yellow metal to retest the level of $3,500/oz," Staunovo said.
Meanwhile, China's net gold imports via Hong Kong more than doubled in April from March, and were the highest since March 2024, data showed.
Citi on Sunday upgraded its zero-to-three month price target for gold back to $3,500/oz - from $3,150 - amid U.S. tariff policies, geopolitical risks and concerns around the U.S. budget. The bank expects gold prices to consolidate between $3,100/oz and $3,500/oz.
Geopolitical risks include the war in Ukraine. Russia attacked Ukraine for a third night in a row, Ukrainian regional officials and emergency services said, a day after the biggest aerial attack of the war so far.
Spot silver eased 0.3% to $33.38, platinum fell 0.6% to $1,088.53 and palladium lost 0.6% to $987.27.
Catch all the Business News , Market News , Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.