Investors need to avoid complacency as Trump potentially marches off to a multiple front trade war, warns the boss of one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory organizations.

The warning from Nigel Green, founder and CEO of deVere Group come as worries of a trade war between the U.S. and China have further increased, causing markets to slide around the world.  The fears intensified after it emerged that President Trump is preparing a new crackdown on Chinese investments in America.

Mr Green comments: “Up until now the markets have been remarkably nonchalant regarding the escalating tensions between the world’s two biggest economies over the last couple of months.

“However, as the Trump administration sets out increasingly aggressive restrictions on what they see as China’s unfair trade practices, and because Trump is on the trade offensive on many fronts, including against traditional U.S. allies, the worries are now becoming much more focused.”

He continues: “There really hasn’t been any major asset class or any part of the world Trump hasn’t spoken out against in recent weeks.  As such, if investors are serious about growing and safeguarding their wealth, complacency should no longer be an option. Vigilance is crucial.

“Now is the time for investors to ensure that their portfolios are properly diversified.

“As history teaches us, diversification is the best way an investor can position themselves to mitigate risks – and also, importantly, to benefit from the buying opportunities that all bouts of market volatility present.”

Mr Green goes on to add: “It is likely that Mr Trump’s bombastic tactics are just negotiating strategies and he will not totally overhaul and/or disrupt trade patterns.

“However, due to the scope and depth of the potential fall out of a U.S.-led trade war on international trade and global growth, investors should be actively looking to review and, if necessary, rebalance their portfolios.”

The deVere CEO concludes: “Investors need to brace themselves for months of heightened posturing from the different parties, which is likely to increase market turbulence.

“And as Trump potentially marches off to a trade war, a good fund manager will help investors sidestep the risks and embrace potential opportunities.”