Gold never changes, I thought that was the point to holding it. The perceptions of it might change and obviously its changing as a ratio to various FIAT standards and debt vs growth and all sorts. The gold itself cant ever be argued to have changed though, even production of gold rising is only mirroring global population growth and so rising demand potential also.
The more dangerous ground is on holding industrial metals like silver or even platinum because its used in car production and supply and demand is less clear. I would guess even those two will appreciate over many years vs dollar
Traditionally, this would form a cocktail of geopolitical uncertainty that would lead to screams buy gold!
The reason for strong dollar now is the tariffs and trade barriers. Dollar is a heavily speculated currency, its not in reaction to trade done as obviously USA runs a trade deficit and the money is being used globally as a reserve. The point with paper related to politics is that it is subject to great changes, right now the Dollar rises because its seen as a safe haven but the perception can miss the point that dollar has grown weaker. Price doesn't dictate fundamentals, it can run opposite and everyone here knows this already but none of us want to fight the market on it. Its still going to happen that dollar weakness eventually is apparent.
People always end up comparing gold with Bitcoin because they are both headless entities. They have no defence or campaign to champion their positives. Any actual dynamic demonstrated comes via a free market itself, its a slow method like water on stone its effect is gradual but as natural as it gets. I have no idea when Gold comes good but I really have no doubt on it because of what I see as temporary effects.
Ultimately trading tariffs, sanctions, barriers, etc as an effect make USA poorer, as a nation its a net importer even in energy I think that might be true. Either production must increase dramatically within USA or its freely trading nation partners, if that does not occur then costs rise. If costs rise then the nation is poorer, productivity is lower and growth is not there, lots of knock on effects. The sum total is not going to be a stronger dollar then, thats the fundamentals I think but right this moment we have trading reacting by raising Dollar.
Its perfectly fine then if gold falls but theres no real negative I see in gold for its price being lower. Anyone who does use or hold gold should aim to buy every year, sell only when they aim to sell many of their assets I guess. Its slow, heavy, inert and never says a word in its defence it requires great perception then is how I see this situation. Dollar on the other hand has billions speaking its book as if it were gospel when its only a paper promise paid by politics not trade.