Jan 9 (Reuters) - Futures for Canada's main stock index

were flat on Thursday as investors awaited key employment

numbers from Canada and the U.S. for clues on the countries'

rate trajectories.

March futures on the S&P/TSX index were up 0.01% at

6.50 a.m. ET (1150 GMT).

All eyes will be on U.S. nonfarm payrolls data, due on

Friday, as it is a key indicator for markets to gauge the

inflation direction and policy rate path of the Federal Reserve.

The Fed signaled a more cautious pace of rate cuts at its

last monetary policy meeting, and traders now expect the first

trim this year in either May or June, according to the CME

FedWatch Tool.

Back home, domestic employment figures, also due on Friday,

will set the tone for policy easing by the Bank of Canada.

The Toronto's composite index ended higher on

Wednesday after two straight days of declines, due to gains led

by technology and metal mining shares.

A report on Wednesday said that U.S. President-elect Donald

Trump is considering declaring a national economic emergency to

provide legal justification for a series of universal tariffs on

allies and adversaries.

The former president has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on

imports from Canada, which sends a majority of its exports south

of the border.

This comes against the backdrop of Canadian Prime Minister

Justin Trudeau's recent announcement that he would resign in

coming months.

Among commodities, gold prices hovered near a

four-week high on Thursday, supported by safe-haven demand.

Oil prices also rose on firm winter fuel

demand expectations.

In corporate news, Canadian Natural Resources ( CNQ )

projected increased production for 2025, as it bets on higher

demand amid tight oil supplies.

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(Reporting by Ragini Mathur; Editing by Varun H K)