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President Donald Trump is telling U.S. allies to secure their own fuel as tensions around Iran and the Strait of Hormuz escalate — a shift that could ripple through global energy markets and hit consumers at home.
“You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore,” he wrote in a post on Truth Social (1). “The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!”
The remarks come as key allies, namely the United Kingdom, France and Germany, push for de-escalation instead of direct military involvement.
“No one can think that the questions of Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic activity [and] regional destabilization will be settled by strikes alone,” said French President Emmanuel Macron at an emergency security meeting in February (2).
Trump’s comments highlight the widening gap between the United States and some of its closest allies. Several European allies have favored diplomatic solutions over retaliatory strikes, and the split from Washington could complicate coordination on global energy security.
“All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran,” Trump wrote (1), “I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.”
When major economies aren’t aligned, global supply chains can become more fragile and less predictable (3).
In energy markets, that kind of fragmentation can amplify price swings, as countries compete for a limited supply instead of coordinating access. The uncertainty is already starting to show up in global fuel markets.
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The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical oil chokepoints, with roughly a fifth of global petroleum liquids passing through the narrow waterway every day in 2024 (4).
Disruptions in the region have already begun to strain supply chains — particularly for jet fuel, which has reportedly doubled in price — leaving import-dependent economies exposed (5).
When oil supply tightens, prices tend to rise, and those increases don’t stay confined to energy markets. They trickle down through the economic pipeline and fall into consumers’ laps.
For example, higher crude costs can push up gasoline prices, airline tickets and shipping costs, feeding into broader inflation. This will increase the costs of borrowing for households and businesses, and also make everyday expenses like groceries more expensive.
Oil markets have already begun to reflect rising uncertainty, with traders responding to both supply disruptions and the risk of a wider regional conflict.
Historically, geopolitical shocks tied to oil supply can trigger sharp price spikes — though many tend to stabilize within about a year (6).
But this time, there are signs the impact could be more prolonged.
Reports suggest that 30% to 40% of Gulf energy infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, potentially limiting refining capacity and slowing any recovery in supply (7).
The longer the disruptions persist, the more likely it is that higher energy costs ripple through the broader economy.
For everyday investors, navigating the markets during conflict is tricky. Markets react quickly to headlines, and usually by the time the headline makes its way to you, the time to move has passed.
Oil supply disruptions, shifting alliances and the risk of escalation can all lead to sudden price swings, often before the full economic impact is clear.
While these moments can feel urgent, reacting quickly can sometimes do much more harm than good. After all, markets tend to stabilize after geopolitical shocks, even if the path to get there is volatile.
That’s why many investors focus less on predicting the market and more on building a strategy that can hold up across a range of scenarios.
This often means balancing stability with opportunity: Keep some assets liquid, maintain diversification and avoid exposure to any single outcome.
For some, that starts with getting a clearer picture of their overall financial strategy.
A financial advisor can help crunch the numbers and build a plan that works.
Advisor.com can help you develop your strategy by connecting you with a financial expert near you for free. Plus, their network comprises fiduciaries, who are legally required to act in your best interests.
Just enter a few details about your finances and goals, and Advisor.com’s AI-powered matching tool will connect you with a qualified expert best-suited for your needs based on your unique financial goals and preferences.
Finding the right advisor isn’t always easy — there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why Advisor.com lets you set up a free initial consultation with no obligation to hire to see if they’re the right fit for you.
Once you’ve got the right financial advisor in your corner, the next step is getting a clear picture of where your money’s actually going. From there, some investors choose to complement their strategy with assets designed to weather volatility, particularly during periods of global instability.
One asset used to hedge against inflation is gold, which has historically been called on during periods of market volatility to maintain stability.
If you’re looking for a great way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax advantages, you might consider 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, which combines the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold. This makes it an attractive option for those looking to potentially hedge their retirement funds against economic uncertainty.
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While gold is often seen as a way to preserve value during uncertain times, it doesn’t generate income on its own. That’s why some also look to assets that can produce cash flow even in more volatile economic environments.
Rental properties have long been a proven source of steady, passive income for high-net-worth investors. It’s no wonder that real estate accounts for nearly 25% of the typical family office portfolio, according to a 2025 report by UBS (8).
However, the time, effort and costs involved in managing and maintaining multiple properties prevent many from investing. So, unless you’re a hedge fund titan or an oil baron, you’ve been shut out of one of the most profitable corners of the market.
That’s where mogul comes in. This real estate investment platform offers fractional ownership in blue-chip rental properties, which gives investors monthly rental income, real-time appreciation and tax benefits — without the need for a hefty down payment or late-night tenant calls.
Founded by former Goldman Sachs real estate investors, the mogul team handpicks the top 1% of single-family rental homes nationwide for you. Simply put, you can invest in institutional-quality offerings at a fraction of the usual cost.
Each property undergoes a vetting process that requires a minimum 12% return, even in downside scenarios. Across the board, the platform features an average annual IRR of 18.8%. Their cash-on-cash yields, meanwhile, average between 10% to 12% annually. Offerings often sell out in under three hours, with investments typically ranging between $15,000 and $40,000 per property.
Every investment is secured by real assets and is not dependent on the platform’s viability. Each property is held in a standalone Propco LLC, so investors own the property — not the platform. Blockchain-based fractionalization adds a layer of safety, ensuring a permanent, verifiable record of each stake.
Getting started is quick and easy. You can sign up for an account and then browse available properties. Once you verify your information with their team, you can invest like a mogul in just a few clicks.
Income-producing assets like real estate can help build long-term wealth, but they aren’t without risk, particularly when markets are volatile. Building a stable, liquid foundation you can rely on in uncertain conditions is important for protecting your financial well-being.
A high-yield account like a Wealthfront Cash Account can be a great place to grow your uninvested cash, offering both competitive interest rates and easy access to your money when you need it.
A Wealthfront Cash Account currently offers a base APY of 3.30% through program banks, and new clients can get an extra 0.75% boost during their first three months on up to $150,000 for a total variable APY of 4.05%.
That’s ten times the national deposit savings rate, according to the FDIC’s March report.
Additionally, Wealthfront is offering new clients who enable direct deposit ($1,000/mo minimum) to their Cash Account and open and fund a new investment account an additional 0.25% APY increase with no expiration date or balance limit, meaning your APY could be as high as 4.30%.
With no minimum balance or account fees, 24/7 withdrawals and free domestic wire transfers, your funds remain accessible at all times.
Plus, you get access to up to $8M FDIC Insurance eligibility through program banks.
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We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
@realDonaldTrump (1); PBS (2); World Economic Forum (3); Institute for Energy Research (4); Anadolu Agency (5); Hartford Funds (6); France 24 (7); UBS (8)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.