* Stronger dollar puts Asian units under some pressure
* Baht weakens for a 3rd straight session
* Rupiah declines amid tense political climate
(Adds text, updates prices)
By Aby Jose Koilparambil
May 22 (Reuters) - The Thai baht THB=TH lost 0.3 percent
against the dollar, falling to its weakest level in more than
two weeks, as sentiment toward Asia's export driven emerging
economies weakened after the latest salvoes in the Sino-U.S.
trade war.
The New York Times reported on Tuesday that the U.S.
administration is considering restricting sales of U.S.
technology to Chinese video surveillance firm Hikvision
002415.SZ . The report undid some of the relief investors had drawn from
a move by Washington late on Monday to row back a little on
actions taken against Chinese tech giant Huawei.
"Traders don't know where to turn, but we do know the
Chinese are not going to come back to the table when the U.S. is
going after Chinese tech companies," said Chris Weston, head of
research at Pepperstone brokerage, in a note.
Backed by higher treasury yields and bolstered by its
safe-haven status, the U.S. dollar made broad gains, brushing a
3-1/2 week peak against a basket of other major currencies.
Overall risk appetite remained subdued ahead of the release
of the minutes of the U.S. Federal Reserve's monetary policy
review which concluded on May 1, when it signalled little
appetite to adjust interest rates any time soon.
The baht weakened as much as 0.3% to 31.980 against the
dollar, falling for a third straight session. Data showed Data
released on Tuesday showed Thailand's customs-cleared exports
fell 2.57% in April from a year earlier, after contracting 4.88%
in March, mainly due to reduced shipments of electronics.
Data released on Monday revealed the trade-dependent Thai
economy had grown at its slowest annual pace in more than four
years in the first quarter, hurt by softer exports. Like other Asian economies, Thailand has been caught in the
cross-fire of the U.S.-China trade war and cooling global
demand.
The Indonesian rupiah IDR=ID slipped up to 0.2% to a near
a five-month low as opposition refused to concede defeat after
the incumbent President Joko Widodo was declared the winner in
elections held last month.
Investors are concerned whether Widodo's government can
carry forward reforms amid the political tensions, with six
people killed as violence erupted in Jakarta after the election
commission confirmed Widodo's victory. The Chinese yuan's CNY=CFXS decline was limited by the
central bank announcing it would issue yuan-denominated bills in
Hong Kong in the near future. Analysts said the move would
tighten offshore liquidity and help stabilise the currency.
The yuan lost as much as about 0.2% on the day after gaining
in the previous two sessions.
The Philippine peso PHP= , the Indian rupee INR=IN and
the South Korean won KRW=KFTC weakened slightly.
The Taiwan dollar TWD=TP dropped up to 0.3% as slowing
global tech demand continue to hurt the country.
Data released on Monday showed export orders shrinking for a
sixth successive month in Taiwan, whose hi-tech factories are
major suppliers for global tech heavyweights.
The Malaysian markets were closed for a holiday.
The following table shows rates for Asian currencies against
the dollar at 0537 GMT.
CURRENCIES VS U.S. DOLLAR
Japan yen 110.420 110.49 +0.06
Sing dlr 1.380 1.3769 -0.25
Taiwan dlr 31.555 31.460 -0.30
Korean won 1195.700 1194 -0.14
Baht 32.000 31.895 -0.33
Peso 52.460 52.41 -0.10
Rupiah 14510.000 14475 -0.24
Rupee 69.748 69.71 -0.05
Yuan 6.913 6.9028 -0.14
Change so far in 2019
Currency Latest bid End 2018 Pct Move
Japan yen 110.420 109.56 -0.78
Sing dlr 1.380 1.3627 -1.28
Taiwan dlr 31.555 30.733 -2.60
Korean won 1195.700 1115.70 -6.69
Baht 32.000 32.55 +1.72
Peso 52.460 52.47 +0.02
Rupiah 14510.000 14375 -0.93
Rupee 69.748 69.77 +0.03
Yuan 6.913 6.8730 -0.58