Iron ore subdued as Trump's tariff threats fuel demand concerns

BEIJING, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Iron ore futures prices were subdued on Tuesday, as fresh tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump fuelled concerns about demand prospects.

The most-traded January iron ore contract on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) DCIOcv1 was little changed at 782.5 yuan ($109.40) a metric ton, as of 0159 GMT, after touching the highest since August 14 on Monday.

The benchmark September iron ore SZZFU5 on the Singapore Exchange was down 0.45% at $102.8 a ton, as of 0149 GMT.

Trump said on Monday China has to give the United States magnets or "we have to charge them 200% tariff or something" amid a trade dispute between the two nations.

Trump also threatened countries that have digital taxes with "subsequent additional tariffs" on their goods if those nations do not remove such legislation.

Those threats came after the U.S. clinched trade deals with several countries and regions after multiple rounds of negotiations, easing fears of a global recession that will hurt demand for commodities.

Iron ore prices have declined in the past year amid falling demand from top consumer China, which is grappling with deflation and weak consumer confidence.

Lower iron ore prices have squeezed profits of several major miners. Australia's Fortescue FMG.AX reported its smallest annual profit in six years, while BHP's BHP.AX annual profit fell to the lowest in five years.

Most steel benchmarks on the Shanghai Futures Exchange weakened. Rebar SRBcv1 shed 0.41%, hot-rolled coil SHHCcv1 and wire rod SWRcv1 both lost 0.15%, while stainless steel SHSScv1 added 0.16%.

Coking coal DJMcv1 and coke DCJcv1, other steelmaking ingredients on the DCE, extended gains, up 1.25% and 0.44%, respectively, supported by lingering worries over potential supply reductions.

($1 = 7.1529 Chinese yuan)