RUBBER-Japan futures set for largest weekly drop since 2020 on US-Sino trade war

SINGAPORE, April 11 (Reuters) -

• Japanese rubber futures pulled back on Friday, and were set for their largest weekly losses since late 2020, amid a widening trade war between the U.S. and top consumer China.

• The Osaka Exchange (OSE) September rubber contract JRUc6, 0#2JRU: fell 2.42% to 290.9 yen ($2.03) per kg as of 0201 GMT.

• The contract has lost 9.29% so far this week, its largest weekly drop since December 7, 2020.

• The May rubber contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) SNRv1 dipped 0.17% to 14,705 yuan ($2,009.68) per metric ton.

• The most active May butadiene rubber contract on the SHFE SHBRv1 gained 0.7% to 11,555 yuan ($1,579.18) per metric ton.

• U.S. President Donald Trump paused for 90 days most of the hefty duties he had imposed on dozens of countries, but boosted tariffs on Chinese imports to 145% from the 104% level that kicked in on Wednesday.

• Earlier, Beijing announced an additional import levy on U.S. goods on Wednesday, imposing an 84% tariff.

• The direct impact of tariffs on natural rubber is mainly in Chinese tire exports to the U.S., Chinese financial information site Tonghuashun Information said, adding that the expected demand for rubber is under pressure amid fears of a global recession.

• China's car exports will likely face greater-than-forecast pressure this year as U.S. tariff hikes hit economies of its important overseas markets hard, a Chinese auto industry association said.

• The dollar slid 0.9% to 143.10 yen JPY=EBS, the weakest since October 1. USD/

• A stronger currency makes yen-denominated assets less affordable to overseas buyers. FRX/

• The front-month rubber contract on the Singapore Exchange's SICOM platform for May delivery STFc1 last traded at 164 U.S. cents per kg, down 1%.

($1 = 143.5100 yen)

($1 = 7.3171 Chinese yuan)