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A fresh wave of tariffs from President Donald Trump — despite a temporary pause on many — has unleashed chaos across global markets, reigniting trade tensions and rattling investors. But billionaire hedge fund manager Ray Dalio says the real storm is still to come.
On April 7, in a lengthy social media post, Dalio argued that the recent tariff drama is merely a symptom of deeper, structural problems.
“We are seeing a classic breakdown of the major monetary, political, and geopolitical orders,” he wrote.
Dalio outlined five forces he described as reshaping the global landscape.
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1. The global monetary order
Dalio said the global economic order is breaking down due to unsustainable debt and deep imbalances between debtor nations like the U.S. and creditor nations like China. As these imbalances unwind, Dalio warned the current monetary order will be forced to change in “big disruptive ways”, with major consequences for capital markets and the broader economy.
2. The political order
Dalio sees the political order of democracies breaking down under the weight of what he calls “huge gaps” in people’s education, income and opportunity levels, as well as values. He said history shows this kind of environment often gives rise to “strong autocratic leaders” — especially when paired with economic and market turmoil.
3. The global power structure
Dalio was blunt on this point: “The international geopolitical world order is breaking down because the era of one dominant power (the U.S.) that dictates the order that other countries follow is over.” He argued it’s being replaced by a “unilateral, power-rules” approach. While the U.S. remains the most powerful nation, Dalio said it is now operating under a more self-interested, “America First” framework.
4, 5. Nature and technology
Dalio added that “acts of nature” — such as floods and pandemics — are becoming more disruptive, while rapid advances in technology — such as artificial intelligence — are impacting “all aspects of life, including the money/debt/economic order, the political order, the international order, and the costs of acts of nature.”
Beyond the tariffs
Dalio didn’t offer specific investment advice in his post. But in a February interview with CNBC, he noted the importance of diversification — and pointed to the role of one time-tested asset.
“People don’t have, typically, an adequate amount of gold in their portfolio,” he said. “When bad times come, gold is a very effective diversifier.”
Gold is considered a go-to safe haven. It can’t be printed out of thin air like fiat money, and because it’s not tied to any single currency or economy, investors flock to it during periods of economic turmoil or geopolitical uncertainty, driving up its value. Over the past 12 months, gold prices have surged by around 35%.
For those looking to capitalize on owning gold while also potentially securing tax advantages, one option is opening a gold IRA with the help of Priority Gold.
Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, thereby offering the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an option for those seeking to ensure their retirement funds are well-shielded against economic uncertainties.
When you make a qualifying purchase with Priority Gold, you can receive up to $10,000 in free silver.
Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it
A tangible hedge with passive income
Many experts — including Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon — have warned that Trump’s tariffs could trigger a significant rise in inflation.
While gold remains a classic hedge, real estate offers a time-tested alternative — with the added benefit of generating passive income.
When inflation rises, property values often increase as well, reflecting the higher cost of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rising living expenses tend to push rents higher, helping landlords offset the erosion of purchasing power.
Traditionally, investing in real estate meant buying property outright and becoming a landlord. But for everyday investors who want to avoid the need for a hefty down payment or the burden of property management, crowdfunding platforms like Arrived offer an easier way to get exposure to this income-generating asset class.
With Arrived, you can invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants.
The process is simple: browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you’d like to purchase, and then sit back as you start receiving rental income deposits from your investment.
Another option is First National Realty Partners (FNRP), which allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.
With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns.
Simply answer a few questions — including how much you would like to invest — to start browsing their full list of available properties.
Consult a professional
Navigating today’s financial landscape can feel overwhelming. With markets swinging wildly and expert opinions often clashing, it’s difficult to know where to put your money. If you’re finding it difficult to make sense of the noise, now could be the right time to get in touch with a financial advisor.
With Vanguard, you can connect with a personal advisor who can help assess how you’re doing and make sure you’ve got the right portfolio to meet your goals on time.
Vanguard’s hybrid advisory system combines advice from professional advisors and automated portfolio management to make sure your investments are working to achieve your financial goals.
All you have to do is fill out a brief questionnaire about your financial goals, and Vanguard’s advisers will help you establish a tailored plan, and stick to it.
Once you’re set, you can sit back as Vanguard’s advisors manage your portfolio. They’re fiduciaries, so you can trust that the advice you’re getting is unbiased.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
