Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs have sparked a chorus of criticism from across the political and economic spectrum — with lawmakers, CEOs and economists warning of rising costs and escalating trade tensions. But the president isn’t backing down. Even after announcing a pause on some tariffs, Trump is doubling down on his hardline stance.
“The businessmen who criticize tariffs are bad at business, but really bad at politics,” he declared in a fiery Truth Social post on April 20. “They don’t understand or realize that I am the greatest friend that American capitalism has ever had!” Don't miss For Trump, the tariff fight isn’t just about economics — it’s about leverage. “The golden rule of negotiating and success: He who has the gold makes the rules,” he wrote in a follow-up post, further signaling that the tariffs are part of a larger strategy to bring global rivals to the table.
And according to Trump, the strategy is working. He claimed that “many world leaders and business executives” are already coming to him, seeking relief from the trade penalties. But Trump insisted these leaders “must right the wrongs of decades of abuse” — and warned that “it won’t be easy for them.” Still, not everyone is buying it.
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon recently warned that tariffs could fuel inflation beyond imported goods — noting that higher input costs and growing demand for U.S.-made products could also push up domestic prices. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has also sounded the alarm, noting that “higher inflation and slower growth” are among the likely consequences of broad tariffs. Even Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman has weighed in, warning that the unpredictability of Trump’s policy shifts gives the U.S. “better than even odds” of falling into a recession in 2025.
Whether Trump will ultimately be successful or not, investors are preparing for a rough ride, with many fleeing U.S. stocks for more stable options. If you’re looking to protect yourself during the president’s big gambit, here are two key assets to consider. A golden hedge for uncertain times Markets have reacted nervously to Trump’s sweeping tariffs.
While stocks have stumbled under the weight of uncertainty, one asset has stood out as a bright spot: gold.
