CANADA STOCKS-TSX futures flat as investors await tariff clarity, economic data

March 28 (Reuters) - Futures tied to Canada's main stock index held steady on Friday as investors avoided major bets, awaiting clarity on impending U.S. tariffs and key economic data due later in the day.

The futures on the S&P/TSX index SXFcv1 were down 0.04% at 6:51 am ET (1051 GMT).

U.S. President Donald Trump's decision on Wednesday to impose a 25% tariff on auto imports - set to take effect next week - sent shockwaves through global markets.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Thursday that he would respond with unspecified trade actions if Trump imposes the tariffs.

The country's general election, expected to be closely contested, is scheduled for April 28.

Later on Friday, Canada's January GDP figures and the U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditure report — the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation — are set for release at 0830 ET.

In commodities, oil prices retreated amid tariff-related demand concerns, but was still headed for a third weekly gain on supply concerns after the U.S. placed more pressure on Venezuelan and Iranian oil trade.

Gold touched a record peak, as Trump's new tariffs prompted investors to flock to the safe-haven metal.

Meanwhile, copper prices hit a nearly two-week low under similar tariff worries.

Canada's main stock index ended unchanged on Thursday, as an expanding global trade war discouraged investors from making new bets on the market.

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