CANADA STOCKS-TSX futures dip on U.S. protectionism worries

March 7 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index futures fellon Wednesday after White House economic adviser Gary Cohnresigned, stoking fears President Donald Trump would go aheadwith tariffs.

Cohn, the top economic adviser to Trump and a voice for WallStreet in the White House, said on Tuesday he would resign, amove that came after he lost a fight over Trump's plans forhefty steel and aluminum import tariffs.

Investors suspect protectionist forces in the White Housefavor using a lower dollar to enhance U.S. exportcompetitiveness while making imports more expensive.

March futures on the S&P TSX index were down 0.34percent at 7:15 a.m. ET.

The Bank of Canada is scheduled to make its next interestrate announcement, and expectations are that the central bankwill keep interest rates steady at 1.25 percent, after havingraised it in January. The data is expected at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Statistics Canada's trade report is expected at 8:30 a.m. ETthat is likely to show trade deficit having narrowed to C$2.50billion in January from C$3.19 billion in December.Fourth-quarter labor productivity rate data is also expected.

Canada's main stock index finished flat on Tuesday as gainsin gold producers were offset by weakness in energy shares andas global equities markets were supported by signs North Koreais willing to hold talks with the United States.

Dow Jones Industrial Average e-mini futures weredown 1.0 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET, while S&P 500 e-mini futureswere down 0.73 percent and Nasdaq 100 e-mini futureswere down 0.54 percent.

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TOP STORIES

The Canadian dollar is forecast to rally over the comingyear, a Reuters poll showed on Wednesday, as global economicstrength and a broadly weaker greenback offsets smoulderinginvestor fears of a trade war that could damage Canada'seconomy.

Canadian National Railway Co said on Wednesday itwould invest more than C$250 million ($193 million) this year toimprove its infrastructure to ease grain supply issues inWestern Canada.

Canada's WestJet Airlines must change its hiringstrategy for the company's new bargain carrier, Swoop, an AirLine Pilots Association executive said on Tuesday, citing arecent Canadian labor board order.

ANALYST RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

CRH Medical Corp: TD Securities raises price targetto C$3.50 from C$2.50

Trilogy International Partners Inc: TD Securitiesraises to "buy" from "hold"

Wajax Corp: Raymond James raises price target toC$28.50 from C$25

COMMODITIES AT 7:15 a.m. ET

Gold futures: $1,330; -0.27 pct

U.S. crude: $62.2; -0.64 pct

Brent crude: $65.37; -0.64 pct

LME 3-month copper: $6,921; -1.19 pct

U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON WEDNESDAY

0815 ADP national employment for Feb: Expected 195,000;Prior 234,000

0830 International trade mm $ for Jan: Expected -55.1 bln;Prior -53.1 bln

0830 Goods trade balance (R) for Jan: Prior -74.40 bln

0830 Labor costs Revised for Q4: Expected 2.1 pct; Prior 2.0pct

0830 Productivity revised for Q4: Expected -0.1 pct; Prior-0.1 pct

1500 Consumer credit for Jan: Expected 17.90 bln; Prior18.45 bln

FOR CANADIAN MARKETS NEWS, CLICK ON CODES:

TSX market report

Canadian dollar and bonds report

Reuters global stocks poll for Canada

Canadian markets directory($1= C$1.29)(Reporting by Nandi Kaul in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)