The Price of Panic: Why Silver and Gold Are Soaring Amid Trump's Uncertainty
As US President Donald Trump's second term continues to unfold with a mix of chaos and unpredictability, investors are piling into gold and silver at an unprecedented rate. The precious metals have seen their prices surge by more than a quarter in the past month alone, with some analysts warning that the market is exhibiting all the hallmarks of a mania.
One driving force behind this frenzy is Trump's aggressive policies, including tariffs on trading partners, threats to annex or bomb other countries, and increased pressure on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates. These moves have sent investors scurrying for safe-haven assets like gold, which has long been seen as a store of value in times of economic uncertainty.
"The administration's actions are creating an environment where investors are seeking refuge in gold," said Daniela Hathorn, senior market analyst at Capital.com. "It's not just about short-term market stress; it's about re-pricing trust in institutions and the stability of the post-cold war economic order."
While gold has seen a significant price increase, silver has also been caught up in the speculative frenzy, with its price nearly quadrupling over the past year to more than $118 an ounce. This surge is largely driven by retail investors buying into the "safe-haven" trade or simply seeing the price spike and piling in.
However, not all analysts are convinced that this trend will continue indefinitely. Giuseppe Sersale, strategist at Anthilia, described recent price moves as "parabolic" and warned that a significant correction could be on the horizon.
Another factor driving the surge in gold and silver prices is central banks adding to their reserves. This trend appears to represent a modest diversification away from standard reserve assets like US government bonds, which are seen as increasingly risky under Trump's chaotic approach to governance.
However, analysts note that this trend is actually slowing down, with central bank buying 21% lower in 2025 than the previous year.
The dollar, meanwhile, has been on the slide in recent weeks due to concerns about Fed independence and the broader stability of US policymaking. However, US stocks have continued to perform strongly, driven by the "magnificent seven" tech companies and hopes of fresh interest rate cuts if inflation remains under control.
As one analyst put it, "as long as the music is playing, you've got to get up and dance." But for how much longer? Only time will tell.
As US President Donald Trump's second term continues to unfold with a mix of chaos and unpredictability, investors are piling into gold and silver at an unprecedented rate. The precious metals have seen their prices surge by more than a quarter in the past month alone, with some analysts warning that the market is exhibiting all the hallmarks of a mania.
One driving force behind this frenzy is Trump's aggressive policies, including tariffs on trading partners, threats to annex or bomb other countries, and increased pressure on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates. These moves have sent investors scurrying for safe-haven assets like gold, which has long been seen as a store of value in times of economic uncertainty.
"The administration's actions are creating an environment where investors are seeking refuge in gold," said Daniela Hathorn, senior market analyst at Capital.com. "It's not just about short-term market stress; it's about re-pricing trust in institutions and the stability of the post-cold war economic order."
While gold has seen a significant price increase, silver has also been caught up in the speculative frenzy, with its price nearly quadrupling over the past year to more than $118 an ounce. This surge is largely driven by retail investors buying into the "safe-haven" trade or simply seeing the price spike and piling in.
However, not all analysts are convinced that this trend will continue indefinitely. Giuseppe Sersale, strategist at Anthilia, described recent price moves as "parabolic" and warned that a significant correction could be on the horizon.
Another factor driving the surge in gold and silver prices is central banks adding to their reserves. This trend appears to represent a modest diversification away from standard reserve assets like US government bonds, which are seen as increasingly risky under Trump's chaotic approach to governance.
However, analysts note that this trend is actually slowing down, with central bank buying 21% lower in 2025 than the previous year.
The dollar, meanwhile, has been on the slide in recent weeks due to concerns about Fed independence and the broader stability of US policymaking. However, US stocks have continued to perform strongly, driven by the "magnificent seven" tech companies and hopes of fresh interest rate cuts if inflation remains under control.
As one analyst put it, "as long as the music is playing, you've got to get up and dance." But for how much longer? Only time will tell.