The gold price has risen about $20/oz since Thursday when US president Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum that could impose tariffs on Chinese imports, a plan China "firmly opposes".

Gold stocks rose strongly on Friday and in today's trade, with Newmont Mining (US:NEM) finishing up 3.06% in New York on Friday.

It was a similar tale in London where Randgold Resources (LN:RRS) closed up 2.95%.

In Toronto, the S&P/TSX Composite Index's gold sector rose 3.08%.

The bigger gainers were near-25-year-old miner Kinross Gold (CN:K), up 6.21%, and OceanaGold (CN:OGC), up 5.41%.

West African-focused SEMAFO (CN:SMF), which is aiming to start its second gold mine in Burkina Faso in the third quarter, also posted a strong gain of 5.38%.

In Australian trade today, gold miners were three of the top five gainers on the S&P/ASX200.

Northern Star Resources (AU:NST) rose 2.65% to a fresh all-time high, Resolute Mining (AU:RSG) was up 2.52% and St Barbara (AU:SBM) gained 1.97% to reach its highest point in 10 years.