Wall Street Says BUY GOLD, But...

While markets wobble, gold keeps smashing records-and banks say it's just beginning. Goldman urges "buy gold" to hedge trade wars; JPMorgan plans $6,000 an ounce and just took delivery of $4 billion in bullion. Yet past bull runs saw 13x-1,000x bigger gains without buying more gold.

Ex-Shark Tank Star Exposes Consumer Sticker Shock Over 'Made In USA' Premiums After Tariff Surge: 'Not A Single Unit Sold'

Shomik Sen Bhattacharjee
April 25, 2025

Shark Tank Season 15 alumnus Ramon van Meer says the Trump-era tariff spike is exposing a hard truth about patriotic shopping: most buyers bolt when the price tag jumps.

What Happened: In a blog post published this week, the entrepreneur and founder of a water-filter brand named Afina, described a real-world A/B test in which 25,650 web visitors were shown identical filtered showerheads -- one marked "Made in Asia" for $129, the other "Made in the USA" for $239.

"We created a secret landing page. … The only difference? One was labeled ';Made in Asia' and priced at $129. The other, ';Made in the USA,' at $239," he wrote. Not a single U.S.-made unit sold.

See also: Ray Dalio Dreams Of A ‘Beautiful Rebalancing’, Reveals He’s ‘Not Surprised’ By Beijing And Washington Talking Trade Again

Van Meer's costs soared after tariffs on Chinese imports jumped from 25% to as much as 170%, pushing his domestic production bill to nearly triple the overseas rate. Broader consumer-goods makers, from sneakers to showerheads, are dealing with the same math as President Donald Trump's second-term duties -- 145% on most Chinese shipments -- ripple through supply chains.​

Afina already sources its KDF-55 filter material in the United States, but labor and tooling in California still dwarf Asian quotes. "Supporting U.S. manufacturing becomes a luxury most can't afford -- even if they want to," van Meer said, warning policymakers that "idealism doesn't always survive contact with a price tag."​

Why It Matters: The unhappy entrepreneur isn’t the only one disgruntled by the need to pivot. Mark Cuban, who’d co-invested in van Meer’s other company, ‘Genius Litter’ on the Shark Tank stage, recently posted on X, stating that the fate of U.S. manufacturing lies less with Washington and more with shoppers' wallets.

Cuban argued that Americans could have preserved factory jobs simply by buying only domestic goods, but didn’t. To test the theory, Cuban backed a browser extension that flagged U.S-made alternatives while users shopped online, but the tool fizzled because "no one cared," forcing the startup to pivot. The flop, he said, proves consumers talk about supporting local industry yet abandon that ideal at checkout.

Cuban now calls critics of offshoring "hypocrites" if they demand tariffs while filling carts with imports, urging them to "lead by example and get friends and family to do the same." Until buyers consistently choose American products, he concludes, nostalgia for lost factory jobs -- and anger over tariffs -- ring hollow.

Image via Shutterstock

Read next: Cathie Wood Warns Trump's Tariffs Are ';Tax Increases' That Hurt Growth -- But Says Innovation Will Thrive In The ';Turmoil'

Popular

Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Offers Seniors A $6,000 'Bonus' Tax Deduction: Here's How You Qualify For The Benefit

Trump's Big, Beautiful Bill offers a $6,000 senior bonus deduction from 2025-28. Couples can save $12,000. Retirees with incomes up to $75,000 benefit most.

A judge resisted Trump’s order on gender identity. The EEOC just fired her

The federal agency charged with protecting workers’ civil rights has terminated a New York administrative judge who , including President Donald Trump’s executive order decreeing male and female as .

Fox: China Is Hiding a '401K Nuke Switch' Under Trump's Nose - Ad

China holds $784B in U.S. debt-and may trigger a dollar collapse. Gold is already soaring, with forecasts up to $6,000-$30,000. Protect your savings now. Claim the free 2025 Gold Guide and discover a Trump-era IRS loophole to buy gold tax- and penalty-free.

Cargo ship carrying new vehicles to Mexico sinks in the North Pacific weeks after catching fire

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A cargo ship that had been delivering new vehicles to Mexico sank in the North Pacific Ocean, weeks after crew members abandoned ship when they couldn’t extinguish an onboard fire that left the carrier dead in the water.

This Stock Just Popped 30% In 5 Days — Now Expert Says It 'Looks Potentially Explosive'

Experts have been betting on the growth prospects of Oscar Health, as it surged by 16.51% on Wednesday and 32.56% in the last five days.

The Tesla Shock Nobody Sees Coming - Ad

While headlines scream "Tesla is doomed"...Jeff Brown has uncovered a revolutionary AI breakthrough buried inside Tesla's labs. One that is helping AI escape from our computer screens and manifest itself here in the real world all while creating a 25,000% growth market explosion starting as early as July 23rd.

Mystery Seller Behind $105 Million Plot Next to Jeff Bezos Estate Finally Revealed

A plot of land neighboring Jeff Bezos' property in Miami was sold for a staggering $105 million. The undeveloped lot was sold by German investor Mikhail Peleg.

BigBear.ai, AMD, QuantumScape, Coinbase, Tesla: Why These 5 Stocks Are On Investors' Radars Today

U.S. stocks ended the day on a high note, with the Nasdaq gaining over 1.4% on Tuesday to 19,912.53. The Dow also traded up 1.2% to 43,089.02, while the S&P 500 rose by 1.1% to 6,092.18. These are the top stocks that gained the attention of retail traders and investors throughout the day:

The Unlikely Duo Rethinking Wearable Technology - Ad

Why did a surgeon and Snap exec team up? They saw the missing ingredient in the $84T wearables market: behavior. So they built Emteq and invented smart glasses sensors to track real-time expressions, unlocking insights into why we do things. With a $15M term sheet already secured, Emteq is what Big Tech's missing.

After Diddy's conviction, here's where his business ventures stand

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sean “Diddy” Combs has been in his federal sex trafficking trial, but that doesn't mean the once-celebrated music mogul will see his business empire restored.

Quantum Stocks Surge And Stumble: Here's What Happened This Week

Quantum Computing announced a $200 million private placement, Microsoft's CEO said quantum computing could take scientific advancements to the next level and more from the week.

Back This Medical AI Tech - Ad

You don't often find healthcare tech company valued at $4M. HeartSciences is an exception. With $75M invested, including R&D, clinical trials, and product development, their patented AI software is approaching FDA submission, a potential major inflection point.

Cathie Wood Doubles Down On Tesla Amid Elon Musk's Feud With Trump, Sells $3 Million Worth Of Coinbase Stock

On Tuesday, Cathie Wood-led Ark Invest made significant trades involving Tesla Inc. and Coinbase Global Inc. . These trades reflect Ark’s strategic positioning amid ongoing market developments.

Is Elon's Empire Crumbling? - Ad

Jeff Brown - the legend who called Tesla and Nvidia early - says Elon is about to launch a $25T AI revolution. This isn't another chatbot. It's real-world AI that could 14X the impact of ChatGPT. But after July 23rd, it may be too late.

Big Banks Pass Fed's 2025 Stress Test With Ease—But Some Say It Was Too Easy

All major U.S. banks passed the Fed's 2025 stress test, but critics say easier assumptions may have padded the results.

T-Mobile Stock (TMUS) Plunges After SoftBank's $4.8B Share Sale: Report

T-Mobile stock is down over 4% after SoftBank reportedly sold $4.8 billion in shares at a discount. This major share sale by a key investor is contributing significantly to the stock's decline Tuesday.

FDA Submission Expected This Summer - Invest Before It Happens - Ad

This company is making heart disease easier to detect with AI. Their tech has officially been designated a "Breakthrough" by the FDA. You now have an opportunity to get in at a potential inflection point.

BigBear.ai (BBAI) Stock Soars 21%: What's Going On?

Shares of BigBear.ai are trading sharply higher Tuesday afternoon. The rally comes without any new company-specific announcements.

Elon Musk Says 'Clear Path' To Restoring Hearing With Neuralink, But The Deaf Community Want To Have Their 'Say'

Elon Musk's Neuralink faces backlash from the deaf community after proposing brain implant technology to restore hearing, with deaf adults calling for inclusion in the research process.

The Missing Ingredient for Big Tech's $3T Recipe? - Ad

Big Tech doesn't build everything; they buy what's next. And only Emteq's tech offers real behavior insights for smart glasses, key to unlocking the $3T XR market. Their patented sensors track live facial muscle movements. With health-focused smart glasses in demand, only Emteq has this tech.

Netflix's Squid Game Finale Takes Over Seoul With Massive Parade, Star-Studded Fan Event

Netflix celebrated the finale of Squid Game with a parade and fan event in Seoul, featuring characters and emotional reflections from cast.

Trump Brokers Peace Deal Between DR Congo And Rwanda — Now Eyes Billions In US Investment

Trump brokers a peace deal between DR Congo and Rwanda, aiming to end conflict and unlock U.S. investment in critical African minerals.

A Historic Gold Announcement Is About to Rock Wall Street - Ad

The greatest investor of all time is about to validate what Garrett Goggin has been saying for months: Gold is entering a once-in-a-generation mania. Front-running Buffett has never been more urgent - and four tiny miners could be your ticket to 100X gains.

Nearly 368,000 pounds of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon recalled over possible listeria contamination

Nearly 368,000 pounds of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon products are being recalled over possible contamination with , federal health officials said Wednesday.

US judge says China's Huawei Technologies must face criminal case for racketeering and other charges

BANGKOK (AP) — A U.S. judge has ruled that China’s Huawei Technologies, a leading telecoms equipment company, must face criminal charges in a wide reaching case alleging it stole technology and engaged in racketeering, wire and bank fraud and other crimes.

How to Hack a $1.3T Market - Ad

Forget concrete. The new foundation for real estate success is digital, and Pacaso leads the way. Their tech unlocks a $1.3T real estate market. They've already earned $110M+ in gross profits in their operating history and reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.

China lifts a nearly 2-year ban on seafood from Japan over Fukushima wastewater

BEIJING (AP) — China has to seafood from Japan after a nearly two-year ban over the discharge of slightly radioactive wastewater from the tsunami-destroyed Fukushima nuclear power plant.

Steve Jobs Took Secrecy To Fight Club Levels For This Critical Mission At Apple — 'People Thought They Knew…But Nobody Knew'

Apple's original iPhone team, under Steve Jobs, operated with intense secrecy, likening their work to "Fight Club," with no one outside the core group knowing the device's design until its 2007 debut.

Wall Street Says BUY GOLD, But... - Ad

While markets wobble, gold keeps smashing records-and banks say it's just beginning. Goldman urges "buy gold" to hedge trade wars; JPMorgan plans $6,000 an ounce and just took delivery of $4 billion in bullion. Yet past bull runs saw 13x-1,000x bigger gains without buying more gold.

Russian Spy Chief And CIA Director Ratcliffe Agree To 'Call Any Time' Amid Tensions: Report

Russian spy chief Sergei Naryshkin and the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), John Ratcliffe, have reportedly agreed to have direct communication at any time.

Sig Sauer, faced with lawsuits over a popular pistol, gets protection in New Hampshire

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Faced with mounting lawsuits over a popular pistol, New Hampshire-based Sig Sauer asked for — and got — protection in the form of a new state law that makes it harder to .

Fox: China Is Hiding a '401K Nuke Switch' Under Trump's Nose - Ad

China holds $784B in U.S. debt-and may trigger a dollar collapse. Gold is already soaring, with forecasts up to $6,000-$30,000. Protect your savings now. Claim the free 2025 Gold Guide and discover a Trump-era IRS loophole to buy gold tax- and penalty-free.

US brings charges in North Korean remote worker scheme that officials say funds weapons program

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department announced criminal charges Monday in connection with a scheme by North Korea to fund its weapons program through the salaries of remote information technology workers employed unwittingly by U.S. companies.

Senate GOP removes tax on solar and wind energy but dismantles climate law passed by Democrats

WASHINGTON (AP) — The approved by the Senate Tuesday removes a proposed tax on solar and wind energy projects but quickly phases out tax credits for wind, solar and other renewable energy.

The Tesla Shock Nobody Sees Coming - Ad

While headlines scream "Tesla is doomed"...Jeff Brown has uncovered a revolutionary AI breakthrough buried inside Tesla's labs. One that is helping AI escape from our computer screens and manifest itself here in the real world all while creating a 25,000% growth market explosion starting as early as July 23rd.

Trump ramps up attacks on the Federal Reserve but Powell sticks to 'wait and see' stance

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Tuesday stuck to that the central bank will keep its key rate on hold while it waits to see how President Donald Trump's effect the economy, despite the from the White House, which wants lower borrowing costs.

Musk Third-Party Odds Hit 47% — Can The Tesla Chief Do What No One Has Since 1853?

A promise to create a third party from billionaire Elon Musk comes with historical difficulties of challenging the current two-party system.

The Unlikely Duo Rethinking Wearable Technology - Ad

Why did a surgeon and Snap exec team up? They saw the missing ingredient in the $84T wearables market: behavior. So they built Emteq and invented smart glasses sensors to track real-time expressions, unlocking insights into why we do things. With a $15M term sheet already secured, Emteq is what Big Tech's missing.

Trump's Crypto Advisor David Sacks Says July Will Be A 'Big Month' — Says President Supports Legislation On Market Structure And Stablecoins

President Donald Trump's crypto and AI advisor, David Sacks, praised on Thursday the Senate’s timeline and plan for crypto legislation that proposes dividing oversight of digital assets between market regulators.

Trending Now

Information, charts or examples are for illustration and educational purposes only and not for individualized investment management This message contains commercial elements, such as advertising. We only send these offers to those who have opted in to our newsletter. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For these reasons we strongly suggest trading in a DEMO/Simulated account. The information provided by us is for educational and informational purposes only. We make no representations or warranties concerning the products, practices or procedures of any company or entity mentioned or recommended and have not determined if the statements and opinions of the advertiser are accurate, correct or truthful. If you use, act upon or make decisions in reliance on information contained or any external source linked within it, you do so at your own peril and agree to hold us, our officers, directors, shareholders, affiliates and agents without fault.

Copyright trendadvisor.net
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service