Commodities outlook depends on Trump

Launceston, Australia

BEYOND the short-term volatility as investors become used to the idea of President Donald Trump, the main risk for global commodities is how much of the campaign rhetoric translates into policy reality when the Republican victor moves into the White House.

The problem global commodity markets are currently grappling with is that the new US president hasn't articulated well-defined policies, rather his campaign was a series of slogans, threats and somewhat vague promises.

Nonetheless, there is enough to suggest that Mr Trump's presidency holds both positives and negatives for commodity demand and prices.

Much of the focus so far has been on what his domestic energy policies will bring, but whatever changes will be much more of an issue within the …