CANADA STOCKS-Canadian futures slip after latest US tariff threats

Feb 19 (Reuters) - Futures linked to Canada's primary stock index fell on Wednesday as investors parsed U.S. President Donald Trump's threat of tariffs on automobiles, ahead of the release of minutes from the Federal Reserve's January meeting.

March futures on the S&P/TSX index SXFcv1 were down 0.37% at 6:11 a.m. ET (11:11 GMT).

The minutes from the Fed's policy meeting are set for release at 2 p.m. ET. The central bank had opted to leave interest rates unchanged at the meeting, with Chair Jerome Powell indicating that they would only cut the rates if inflation and employment data warranted such action.

On Tuesday, Trump said he intends to impose auto tariffs "in the neighborhood of 25%," along with similar duties on semiconductor and pharmaceutical imports.

The comments propelled gold prices XAU= to a record-high, as escalating trade war tensions and growing concerns over global economic growth heightened the allure of the safe-haven asset. GOL/

Since his inauguration just four weeks ago, Trump has enforced a 10% tariff on all imports from China, adding to the existing levies. He also declared a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and non-energy imports from Canada, before suspending the tariffs for a month.

Oil prices rose, bolstered by worries about potential supply disruptions in Russia and the U.S., as the market awaits further clarity on sanctions amid Washington's efforts to mediate an end to the conflict in Ukraine. O/R

The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE finished Tuesday on a high note, climbing 165.61 points, or 0.65%, to close at 25,648.84.

In corporate news, retailer Loblaw L.TO on Wednesday said it plans to invest C$2.2 billion ($1.55 billion) to renovate existing stores, open new ones and create about 8,000 jobs this year.

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