XAUUSD - Gold hits new ATH!Gold is trading above EMA200 and EMA50 on the 1-hour timeframe and is in its ascending channel. A correction towards the demand zone will provide us with the next buying opportunity with a good risk-reward ratio.
Donald Trump has announced his intention to impose a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico due to the fentanyl issue, emphasizing that these tariffs will take effect starting Saturday. He also stated that China will eventually have to pay tariffs as well, and that the U.S. is already implementing trade restrictions against Beijing.
Trump further asserted that the era of passively watching BRICS nations attempt to distance themselves from the U.S. dollar is over. He declared that these countries must commit to neither creating a new BRICS currency nor supporting any alternative to the powerful U.S. dollar. Otherwise, they will face 100% tariffs and lose access to the thriving American economy. He insisted that BRICS has no chance of replacing the U.S. dollar in global trade, and any country attempting to do so will face severe economic consequences.
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Trump’s repeated tariff threats have raised concerns among American consumers and introduced economic risks for the United States. Even the mere discussion of such tariffs can have significant economic effects by influencing consumer behavior. Evidence suggests that many Americans are seriously worried about the potential consequences of these policies.
According to a survey conducted by economists from the University of Texas, the University of California, and the University of Chicago, Americans expect substantial tariffs to be imposed on all major trade partners—50% on Chinese imports and 35% on imports from Canada and Europe. Contrary to Trump’s claims, most citizens believe these tariffs will directly impact them by driving up prices. When asked about a hypothetical 20% tariff, half of the respondents stated that the majority of the costs would be passed directly to consumers.
Political differences are also evident in the perception of these tariffs. Democrats and Republicans disagree on the extent to which consumers will bear the costs. Democrats estimate that 68% of the tariff burden will fall on consumers, whereas Republicans believe it will be around 41%. Regardless of political stance, the financial strain from these tariffs is expected to be significant, particularly for consumers already weary of inflation.
Both the public and economists recognize that tariffs on imports can also raise prices for domestically produced goods. The economic impact of tariffs was clearly demonstrated during Trump’s first term. A study found that the tariffs imposed in 2018 on washing machines from South Korea and China led to a nearly equivalent price increase for washing machines in the U.S.—and even drove up the price of dryers as well.
Even if these new tariffs are not implemented, their mere threat can lead to price hikes. Many consumers, anticipating higher costs, are choosing to make purchases in advance. In a survey, 43% of respondents stated that they would buy products before the tariffs take effect to avoid potential price increases.Another survey in January found that 20% of people believed that now was the right time to buy durable goods because prices were likely to rise.
Businesses are responding in a similar fashion. Many companies are stockpiling inventory ahead of potential tariff hikes or shifting their supply chains to countries that would not be affected. This behavior has contributed to a surge in exports from China to the U.S., with December marking the second-highest export level on record—at least partly driven by efforts to preempt new tariffs.
These strategies, however, come with additional costs, much of which will likely be passed on to consumers. The COVID-19 pandemic provided a clear example of how supply chain disruptions can lead to widespread cost increases. For instance, higher import costs for auto parts eventually resulted in more expensive vehicle repairs and insurance premiums.
Stimulating inflation under current economic conditions—even temporarily—would be costly. The Federal Reserve has paused further interest rate cuts, waiting for clearer signs of sustained inflation reduction. Rising prices for key goods, particularly automobiles, halted progress in lowering inflation in the fourth quarter of last year. Additional inflationary pressures caused by tariff expectations could delay the Fed’s next rate cut and keep interest rates elevated for an extended period. The uncertainty surrounding future tariffs reinforces the Fed’s cautious stance.
Inflation is not the only concern stemming from tariff threats. A third of survey respondents indicated that the likelihood of widespread tariffs would lead them to cut spending and increase savings. The greater the uncertainty surrounding trade policy, the stronger the incentive for precautionary savings.
American consumers have been the driving force behind the nation’s economic recovery. However, the recent wave of tariff threats has created deep concerns, potentially putting the U.S. economy—widely regarded as one of the strongest in the world—at risk.
