Gold prices ticked up in early Asian trade on Tuesday as the dollar and Asian stocks slipped, while concerns about the prospect of an escalation in the China-U.S. trade spat and reports of a poison gas attack in Syria offered support as well.

Benchmark Tokyo rubber futures snapped a four-day losing streak on Friday on bargain-hunting, but posted a fall for the week amid concerns over rising stockpiles despite the start of a seasonal decline in production due to wintering.

Benchmark Tokyo rubber futures slipped on Thursday, extending losses into a fourth straight day, as lingering worries over rising stock in Tokyo weighed on sentiment despite easing concerns over US-China trade spat.

Gold prices rose on Friday as investors sought safer assets after U.S. President Donald Trump proposed $100 billion in new tariffs on China, raising concerns about an escalating trade spat between the United States and China.

With the domestic production of rubber nosediving by 16 per cent in February, the tyre industry has urged the government to make imports easier through lowering of duties to meet the growing demand.

Benchmark Tokyo rubber futures gave up early gains to close lower on Wednesday, extending falls into a third session, amid fears that escalating US-China trade tensions may hurt the global economy.