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

Australia is shipping unprecedented amounts of gold to the United States in 2025. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, gold exports to the US have exploded to new heights. After jumping to $1.17 billion in December 2024, January’s gold shipments soared to $4.62 billion – making up 87% of the month’s total $5.272 billion in exports. This single month exceeded Australia’s entire gold exports to the US for all of 2024. For perspective, monthly gold exports to the US typically ranged between $31-337 million during 2023-2024. This gold is used for investments, jewelry, and industrial purposes. This dramatic surge

The US dollar suffered its largest single-day drop since Inauguration Day, falling 1% to a three-month low as markets grew concerned about tariffs hurting American economic growth. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index weakened to its lowest level since November, with the euro climbing to nearly $1.08 after Germany announced plans for massive defense and infrastructure investments. Analysts suggest this decline reflects investors pricing in the negative impact of trade tariffs on US growth rather than on targeted countries, with markets now anticipating more interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve.

Mali’s interim government has halted the issuance of small-scale gold mining permits to foreigners following several deadly incidents, including a devastating collapse that killed at least 49 people last month in an open-pit area. The decision comes from Interim President Assimi Goita, who ordered the government “to strengthen measures to avoid human and environmental tragedies” and commanded local authorities to seize equipment used in artisanal gold extraction operations run by foreign nationals. The crackdown coincides with a significant 23% decline in Mali’s industrial gold production, which fell from 66.5 tons in 2023 to 51 tons in 2024. This drop occurs