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 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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