Aussie widens losses before the weekend

Australian dollar dipped on Friday before the weekend for the second straight session to the lowest this week, as traders sell off Aussie to collect profits after hitting a three-week high earlier this week. 

Aussie's dip came as the US dollar recovered yesterday against a basket of major rivals, following upbeat unemployment claims and manufacturing data. 

AUD/USD inched down to 0.7787 from the opening of 0.7798, with a session-high at 0.7799, and a low at 0.7700. 

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his Singaporean counterpart said they stand against protectionist policies and support free trade. 

ASEAN and Australia believe that economic growth doesn't come from closing doors to other markets, for it would be a dead end that would lead to weaker growth. 

The US has put Australia in its list of exempted countries from the new tariffs on imported steel and aluminum.