New Delhi, March 27 -- Gold scaled a record peak on Thursday, as investors sought the safe-haven asset in response to escalating global trade tensions and tumbling equity markets, following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of new auto tariffs.

Spot gold climbed 1.2% to $3,057.12 an ounce as of 11:17 a.m. ET (1517 GMT) after hitting an all-time high of $3059.30. Bullion has hit 17 record highs this year.

U.S. gold futures climbed 1.5% to $3,069.10, also hitting an all-time high of $3,070.90 earlier in the session.

"Looks like we're going to see (gold futures hit) $3100 here shortly and the main catalyst is safe-haven buying," driven by uncertainty around Trump's tariff plans, said Bob Haberkorn, senior market strategist at RJO...