100 Days In: Trump’s ‘Strategic Uncertainty’ on Tariffs Leaves Markets Guessing

In a recent Bloomberg Television interview, JPMorgan’s Grace Peters outlined a comprehensive investment strategy that positions gold as a crucial asset for portfolio protection. Despite acknowledging solid economic data, Peters emphasizes the ongoing challenge of elevated inflation, making gold particularly attractive as a protective measure. Her investment approach advocates for a balanced strategy that maintains equity exposure while incorporating defensive assets like gold, core infrastructure, and hedge funds to build portfolio resilience. This recommendation comes at a time when investors are navigating complex economic conditions and seeking ways to protect their investments against various market risks. Peters’ endorsement of gold

President Trump’s call for simultaneous tariffs and lower interest rates faces strong criticism from economists who warn this combination could backfire. Experts explain that tariffs typically increase inflation, which would force the Federal Reserve to maintain higher interest rates. The only scenario where both high tariffs and low rates might coexist would be during an economic downturn, a situation experts warn could harm rather than help the economy. The challenge is further complicated by current full employment conditions and existing inflation concerns. Carl Weinberg of High Frequency Economics points out the inherent contradictions in Trump’s broader economic agenda, which includes

According to UBS Investment Bank strategist Joni Teves, gold’s current rally could extend further despite already reaching historic levels. Her analysis focuses on the crucial role of inflation dynamics, particularly emphasizing how the implementation of new tariffs could act as an inflationary catalyst. This environment, she argues, creates uniquely favorable conditions for gold. The strategist’s perspective suggests that rather than seeing current price levels as a peak, investors should consider the broader macroeconomic context, where tariff-induced inflation could continue to drive gold prices higher. This “unprecedented territory” for gold reflects a fundamental shift in market conditions that could sustain bullish