Euro extends gains vs dollar on Trichet's FX comments

NEW YORK Oct 8 (Reuters) - The euro extended gains versus the dollar on Thursday as investors were disappointed that European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet didn't make a more forceful statement about the need for a strong U.S. currency.

The euro rose as high as $1.4799 EUR= and was last up 0.7 percent at $1.4788, up 0.7 percent on the day.

"Before Trichet's briefing, there was chatter in the market that he may give more forceful comments on having a 'strong' dollar. But Trichet just gave the standard language so we saw some relief rally for the euro," said Matthew Strauss, senior currency strategist, at RBC Capital Markets in Toronto.

Speaking after the ECB kept its main refi rate at 1.0 percent for the fifth month in a row, Trichet said U.S. support for a strong dollar is extremely important. [ID:nFAT006842].

(Additional reporting by Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss) (Editing by Theodore d'Afflisio)