The Long Game: The new trade order is forcing investors to rethink everything

In the latest episode of Money, Markets and Masterminds, academic and investment specialist Adrian Saville returns to the Citywire South Africa studio for a wide-ranging conversation on what he calls a ‘Through the Looking Glass’ moment in global economics. Drawing parallels with Lewis Carroll’s surreal classic, Saville argues that the rules of the economic game are being rewritten in real time – and warns investors against clinging to outdated playbooks. As Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs rock markets, Saville unpacks why the recent drop in the S&P 500 – erasing trillions of dollars in market value – is more than a cyclical correction, it is structural. Instead, he outlines a disciplined strategy anchored in diversification, decorrelation and defensiveness. From shifting allocations away from overvalued US tech stocks to tapping opportunities in China, Japan and defensive sectors, Saville illustrates how his team has stayed ahead of the MSCI All Country World index this year by adapting early. Listen to the discussion for more expert insight.