#245 Axel Merk: Axel Merk: How Trump's Trade Policies Could Disrupt Global Financial Plumbing

Axel Merk, CIO and founder of Merk Investments with over $2 billion in AUM, shares his perspective on the current macro landscape. He explores how Trump's executive policies around trade and tariffs might alter the "plumbing" of the global financial system, potentially disrupting international capital flows that have long benefited the US. Merk discusses gold's performance as a possible warning signal, stagflationary risks in the economy, and why there is "no such thing as a safe asset" in today's investment environment. With 30 years of investment experience, he provides analysis on monetary policy, inflation concerns, and portfolio diversification strategies for navigating these uncertain times. This episode is sponsored by Monetary Metals. Visit https://monetary-metals.com/julia Timestamps 0:00 Intro and welcome Axel Merk1:11 The big macro picture - viewing through executive policy3:34 Disruption to global financial flows4:30 Potential consequences of changing financial plumbing6:51 Role of the Federal Reserve in market disruptions8:25 What the market gets right and wrong10:26 Gold as a contrarian indicator11:57 Drivers behind gold's performance14:54 Axel's position on gold investments16:00 Investment advice for different types of investors19:12 The "popcorn" investment strategy20:31 Stagflationary risks remain22:05 Growth potential amid regulatory changes24:53 Managing investment risks in volatile times27:47 Long-term debt and entitlement concerns30:46 Global reflation efforts vs US fiscal contraction31:42 Where to find Axel Merk and final thoughts