Silver prices jumped more than 2% on Monday, surpassing the $51 per ounce mark to hit a new record high as investors turned to safe-haven assets amid escalating global uncertainty. The surge follows renewed trade tensions between the United States and China, with tariff threats once again rattling markets and sparking fears of a prolonged economic standoff.

The intensifying friction between Washington and Beijing has amplified investor caution, driving a rush toward assets like silver that are seen as reliable stores of value during times of instability. Market watchers note that political volatility in major economies and concerns over a potential U.S. government shutdown have further fueled the demand for precious metals.

Meanwhile, the anticipation of upcoming discussions between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping has offered only mild relief to jittery markets. Traders remain wary, with many doubting that negotiations will yield a swift resolution to the ongoing trade conflict, which continues to weigh heavily on global sentiment.

Adding to the bullish tone, expectations of successive Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, alongside limited physical supply in key hubs such as London, have strengthened silver’s upward momentum. With its dual appeal as both a safe-haven and an industrial metal, silver’s latest rally underscores how geopolitical and monetary factors are converging to push the metal to historic highs.