President Trump has threatened new tariffs ranging from 10% on BRICS countries up to 25%+ on nations including Japan and South Korea effective August 1 unless trade agreements are reached. Markets responded sharply with U.S. indices falling and safe-haven assets like the U.S. dollar and gold gaining. Natty Virk (Tajinder Singh Virk), co‑founder of Finvasia Group, notes that this episode underscores how trade policy remains a potent and unpredictable driver of market sentiment, where political tactics now directly influence global equities and currency flows