Gold prices fell on Tuesday as the dollar's relative value against other currencies recovered, spurring some investors to lock in gains in bullion, which has soared to record levels of $2,000 per ounce. Spot gold was down 0.5 per cent at $2,017.53 per ounce by 0447 GMT (10:17 am in India), retreating from a record high of $2,072.50 hit last week. US gold futures fell 0.6 per cent to $2,026.90 per ounce.

"A stronger dollar and favourable risk sentiment are weighing on gold. Prices are undergoing a period of consolidation after rising more than 14 per cent in three weeks," said DailyFx strategist Margaret Yang.

The dollar held on to overnight gains as investors clung to hopes of a stimulus deal in Washington and US bond yields rebounded from multi-month lows.

Asian stocks, meanwhile, shrugged off the latest flare-up between Washington and Beijing.

China on Monday imposed sanctions on 11 US citizens, including lawmakers from President Donald Trump's Republican Party, after Washington's sanctions on Hong Kong and Chinese officials last week.

Analysts said gold's overall appeal was intact, with prices up more than 33 per cent so far this year.