Trump Just Torched the Markets — But Gold Could Be the Biggest Winner of 2025
Equities are spiraling, tech stocks are bleeding, and global tensions are rising. But gold? It’s having a moment — and it may be just getting started.
Markets don't scare easily — but they just flinched.
President Donald Trump’s blanket 10% tariff on all imports, announced April 3, did more than rattle trade partners. It torched the stock market. The S&P 500 cratered 4.8%, the Nasdaq dropped 6%, and tech giants like Apple and Amazon saw nearly a tenth of their market cap vanish in a day.
Wall Street is now staring down the barrel of a full-blown global trade war — and investors are scrambling for cover.
Gold: The Last Safe Place to Hide
While stocks plunged, gold soared — blowing past previous records to hit $3,167.57 per ounce. That’s a 19% rally year-to-date and a staggering 71% climb since the end of 2022.
In short: gold is back. And it’s not just speculators chasing the rally.
Three major forces are pushing gold higher — and none are likely to reverse soon:
Safe-Haven Buying: With trade tensions escalating, investors are retreating into hard assets. Gold’s centuries-old reputation as a store of value is shining bright again.
Central Bank Demand: Institutions aren’t just watching from the sidelines. Central banks — particularly in emerging markets — are snapping up gold at the fastest pace in over a decade. Fourth-quarter 2024 purchases jumped 54% year-over-year to 333 tons.
Inflation Fears: Tariffs tend to drive prices higher. And if that inflation sticks, gold — the classic inflation hedge — becomes even more attractive.
Poland and China Are Hoarding Gold. You Should Pay Attention.
It’s not just investors buying the dip. Sovereigns are stacking bullion like it’s 1979.
Poland’s central bank added 29 tons in February alone — its 11th straight month of net buying. China’s central bank added another 5 tons, marking four months in a row of accumulation.
This is more than diversification — it’s a signal. Nations are hedging against dollar dominance and deepening geopolitical instability.
Analysts believe these institutional flows could hit record levels in 2025, keeping gold demand — and prices — elevated regardless of what equity markets do next.
How to Ride the Wave (Without Buying Bars)
For retail investors, getting exposure to this gold bull run doesn’t require a safe full of coins. The SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD), one of the largest and most liquid gold-backed ETFs, climbed to $286.42 as of April 4.
It’s a clean way to track gold prices — and a smart diversification play in a market roiled by policy shocks.
The Bottom Line
Trump’s tariff bombshell has turned the tables on markets. Stocks are suffering. Inflation is brewing. Global tensions are mounting.
And gold? Gold is thriving.
If you’re looking for safety, resilience — and maybe even some upside — in the chaos, gold might be the one asset you don’t want to overlook.
Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with a financial advisor before making investment decisions.