Though President Donald Trump has said his aggressive tariff strategy, unveiled this week, will make the markets “boom,” it has so far resulted in a rout, with U.S. equity markets suffering their worst week since March 2020 and more pain likely on the way. And that’s sending ultra-wealthy investors to seek refuge from the financial storm abroad.

The average tariff rate is even higher than in the 1930s, “which means there is no modern-day precedent to predict the economic hit,” says Larry Adam, chief investment officer at Raymond James. The U.S. markets have been tanking in the aftermath, and analysts including from JPMorgan are ringing alarm bells about a potential recession this year. The preeminence and exceptionalism of the U.S. is now being questioned.

Investors are reacting accordingly. Worried about the effects of tariffs and other moves by the Trump administration that could hurt growth in the U.S.—such as defunding research efforts around the country—ultra high net worth and family office investors are rethinking their positions here, at least in the short term.

At a media event Thursday, Goldman Sachs representatives said they are watching Trump’s moves closely. Many of their ultra-high net worth (UHNW) clients are asking for guidance, though they haven’t fled from U.S. equities just yet. But non-U.S. equities have outperformed so far this year, and broader diversification in general is a goal for the firm. Still, the firm is bullish on U.S. long-term given the country’s ability to innovate.

Source: Fortune

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