May 16, 2026
After spending time with leaders across Asia and China, Ray Dalio says the perception of American power is shifting fast. Countries that once relied on the US for security are recalibrating toward Beijing, and China sees itself entering a new era of influence rooted in its historical "tribute system." Meanwhile, Dalio says investors tracking the war in Iran are trading on cash flows, not fear, and they need diversification, liquidity, and gold to navigate what comes next.