Gold hit a new record of nearly $3,160 an ounce after President Donald Trump unveiled his sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs, imposing a minimum levy of 10% on imports and stoking fears it may trigger a global economic slowdown.
Bullion was one of the few commodities exempted from the tariffs, according to a White House factsheet. The metal's haven status was underlined when it rose as much as 0.8% at Thursday's open in Asia, shortly after the president's Rose Garden address. It closed 0.7% higher on Wednesday.
Trump said he will apply a minimum 10% tariff on all exports to the US, with dozens of countries with the largest trade imbalances facing even higher rates. The levy imposed on China is 34%, while for the European Union it's 20% and for Vietnam 46%.
Investors regard gold as a haven when concerns rise over the health of the global economy. Such worries have lifted the precious metal 20% this year after a ferocious run in 2024 that was largely driven by massive central bank purchases and robust demand in Asia.
Spot gold hit a new record of $3,159.48 an ounce after peaking at $3,149 on Tuesday.
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