The Bank of Canada has decided to pause its interest rate cuts, keeping the benchmark rate steady at 2.75%. This marks the first time the central bank has held rates following seven consecutive cuts, signaling a cautious approach amid growing uncertainty in global trade. Investors and analysts are now closely watching how monetary policy will evolve in the second half of the year, especially in light of potential shifts in U.S. tariff policies.

U.S. stocks tumbled this week as heightened export restrictions to China and growing uncertainty around the economic outlook rattled markets. Tech and semiconductor shares led the sell-off, with Nvidia alone losing more than $280 billion in market value in a single day. The Federal Reserve’s cautionary remarks about potential stagflation further fueled investor anxiety, pushing gold and the Japanese yen higher on safe-haven demand.

In this shifting landscape, investors should stay alert to policy risks and corporate fundamentals, and consider rebalancing their portfolios to adapt to today’s new market norms.

In spring 2025, international gold prices surged past $3,300 per ounce, making gold one of the most crowded trades on the global market. A combination of rising risk aversion, a weakening U.S. dollar, and ongoing gold accumulation by central banks has fueled the rally. At the same time, enthusiasm for tech stocks has cooled, prompting a significant flow of capital into gold ETFs and futures. This shift in investor sentiment signals a broader rethinking of asset allocation strategies, positioning gold as a potential star performer in the 2025 capital markets.

In 2025, the U.S. implements an unprecedented “reciprocal tariff” policy, imposing steep import duties on key trading partners like China and the European Union. Chinese goods face tariffs as high as 145%. The bold move sends shockwaves through global markets, driving up corporate costs, disrupting supply chains, and forcing a downward revision of global economic forecasts. U.S. stocks plunge, inflation surges, and the structure of international trade faces a dramatic shift. Multinational corporations and national governments are now scrambling to adapt, signaling a new era for global commerce.

In 2025, the U.S. implements an unprecedented “reciprocal tariff” policy, imposing steep import duties on key trading partners like China and the European Union. Chinese goods face tariffs as high as 145%. The bold move sends shockwaves through global markets, driving up corporate costs, disrupting supply chains, and forcing a downward revision of global economic forecasts. U.S. stocks plunge, inflation surges, and the structure of international trade faces a dramatic shift. Multinational corporations and national governments are now scrambling to adapt, signaling a new era for global commerce.

The U.S. Dollar Index has been weakening consistently, now approaching a key technical support level for the third time—sparking increased attention from investors. A combination of rising U.S. debt, inverted yield curves, and declining demand for the dollar as a safe-haven asset is putting pressure on its global dominance. In response, Asian currencies, gold, and Bitcoin are seeing heightened volatility, signaling an accelerated shift in global asset allocation.

Rising U.S.-China trade tensions have led China to restrict Boeing aircraft imports and impose steep tariffs, disrupting the delivery of new planes and key aviation components. These measures have hit airline operations hard, with several carriers facing delays and logistical challenges. In response, Boeing’s stock took a sharp dive. Industry analysts are closely watching supply chain stability, shifting trade policies, and broader market impacts as the situation unfolds.

China’s economy grew by 5.4% in the first quarter of 2025, outperforming expectations thanks to strong export performance. However, rising U.S. tariffs—now as high as 145%—along with sluggish domestic demand and continued weakness in the property market, cast uncertainty over the country’s outlook. In response, Beijing is accelerating its economic transformation, shifting focus toward high-tech manufacturing and boosting internal consumption to counter mounting domestic and global pressures.

Amid global economic uncertainty and shifting policies, the copper market has captured renewed attention. While recent U.S. tariff decisions send a positive signal to the market, concerns about supply-demand imbalances and overall investor confidence remain. Despite short-term price rebounds, copper continues to face downward pressure. For investors, a cautious and well-structured approach is key to managing potential risks in this volatile environment.

The U.S. has tightened restrictions on chip exports to China, directly impacting Nvidia’s H20 chips. As a result, the company expects to take a one-time charge of $5.5 billion, sending its stock down 6.5% in after-hours trading. The news triggered a broad selloff in the semiconductor sector, with rising investor anxiety driving a shift toward safer assets. Analysts warn this move could accelerate China’s domestic chip development and lead to increased costs for AI equipment worldwide. Investors should keep a close eye on Nvidia’s upcoming earnings and the detailed U.S. policy announcement expected soon, as both could significantly influence the tech and semiconductor markets.