Oil falls after Trump downplays optimistic China trade reports

[November 11, 2019]  By Shadia Nasralla

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices dipped on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to downplay reports of an imminent lifting of tariffs in a protracted U.S.-Chinese trade war.

Brent crude was down 87 cents at $61.64 by 1030 GMT. The contract gained 1.3% last week.

U.S. crude was 88 cents lower at $56.36 a barrel, having risen 1.9% last week.

Trump said on Saturday that trade talks with China were moving along "very nicely" but the United States would only make a deal with Beijing if it was the right one for America.

Trump also said there had been incorrect reporting about U.S. willingness to lift tariffs as part of a "phase one" agreement, news of which had boosted markets.

The 16-month trade war between the world's two biggest economies has slowed economic growth around the world and prompted analysts to lower forecasts for oil demand, raising concerns that a supply glut could develop in 2020.

"We expect the sideward trading to continue for the time being, with the trade conflict headlines likely to dictate the direction," Commerzbank said in a note.

Oil futures often trade in tandem with shares. Equities across the globe fell on Monday on escalating violence in Hong Kong. Asian stocks had their worst day since August.

Underlining the impact of the trade war, data over the weekend showed that China's producer prices fell the most in more than three years in October.

An oil pumpjack is seen in La Canada de Urdaneta, Venezuela October 1, 2019. Picture taken October 1, 2019. REUTERS/Jose Nunez

Auto sales in China fell for a 16th consecutive month in October, data showed on Monday.

Investors are also concerned about excess supplies of crude, analysts said.

The oil market outlook for next year may have upside potential, OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo said last week, suggesting there is no need to cut output further.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies led by Russia meet in early December. The so-called OPEC+ alliance has since January cut output by 1.2 million barrels per day under a deal set to last until March 2020.

Lukoil <LKOH.MM>, Russia's second biggest oil producer, expects the global oil production cut deal, known as OPEC+, to be extended, its chief said on Monday.

Meanwhile in North America, TC Energy Corp's <TRP.TO> 590,000-barrel-per-day Keystone oil pipeline has returned to service, operating at reduced pressure with a gradual increase of volumes.

(Additional reporting by Aaron Sheldrick in TOKYO; editing by Jason Neely)

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