The yen edged up versus the dollar on Thursday as sentiment soured over U.S.-Mexico talks on tariffs and immigration, fuelling broader concerns about global trade hostilities and raising appetite for safe-haven currencies.

Mexican officials met with their U.S. counterparts for negotiations in Washington on Wednesday aimed at averting U.S. tariffs on Mexican goods next week, although there were no immediate signs of a rapprochement.

In a move that could deepen Washington's trade conflict with its partners, U.S. President Donald Trump unexpectedly told Mexico last week to take a harder line on curbing illegal immigration or face 5% tariffs on all its exports to the United States.

The dollar was down 0.15% at 108.300 yen, handing back a bulk of the gains made overnight.

Source : Reuters