Jacob Shapiro: "Sell America" Is Real—Canada Breaks Away, NATO at Risk & the Shift to Multipolarity

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  January 21, 2026 at 21:00  |  30:59  |  Wealthion
Speakers
Jacob Shapiro — Independent Geopolitical Analyst

Summary

Geopolitical strategist Jacob Shapiro argues that the 'Sell America' trade is real and likely to unfold gradually over years, as global investors and central banks reduce US Treasury and dollar exposure while diversifying into gold, hard currencies, and Bitcoin. He sees Canada's pivot away from the US as a significant rupture, warns that a US move on Greenland could end NATO, and identifies Japan and Europe—especially European defense—as major opportunities in a multipolar world. He also highlights technology themes like biotech, robotics, and AI in countries with secure cheap energy and rule of law.

  • Sell America is a real, gradual diversification away from US assets, not a crash.
  • US Treasuries are no longer viewed as the safe haven of choice; gold, Swiss francs, Singapore dollars, and Bitcoin are alternatives.
  • Canada is repositioning away from the US through partnerships with China, Qatar, and Europe.
  • A US military move to take Greenland would likely mark the end of NATO and accelerate Europe's rise as an independent geopolitical power.
  • Japan is a long-term bullish opportunity if it undergoes structural change after a potential snap election.
  • Europe is attractive, especially German defense companies, as rearmament and energy fixes reduce crisis risk.
  • Biotech, robotics, and AI in countries with secure energy and rule of law are long-term opportunities.
  • US midterm politics and tariff uncertainty are risks, but the economy's perception matters more than geopolitical drama.
Ideas
Jacob Shapiro Independent Geopolitical Analyst 0:02
Sell America real; avoid US, diversify.
The 'Sell America' trade is very real, not media hype, though it is a gradual multi-year diversification rather than a cataclysmic collapse. Over the last 12-18 months, global investors and central banks have been reducing US exposure—declining dollar share of reserves and adjusting Treasury holdings from levels like 60% to 50% or 65% to 45%—and diversifying into Swiss francs, Singapore dollars, gold, or Bitcoin. He no longer views US Treasuries as the safe haven of choice and sees early-stage opportunities in reliable non-US assets.
Jacob Shapiro Independent Geopolitical Analyst 0:02
Sell America real; avoid US, diversify.
The 'Sell America' trade is very real, not media hype, though it is a gradual multi-year diversification rather than a cataclysmic collapse. Over the last 12-18 months, global investors and central banks have been reducing US exposure—declining dollar share of reserves and adjusting Treasury holdings from levels like 60% to 50% or 65% to 45%—and diversifying into Swiss francs, Singapore dollars, gold, or Bitcoin. He no longer views US Treasuries as the safe haven of choice and sees early-stage opportunities in reliable non-US assets.
Jacob Shapiro Independent Geopolitical Analyst 0:02
Sell America real; avoid US, diversify.
The 'Sell America' trade is very real, not media hype, though it is a gradual multi-year diversification rather than a cataclysmic collapse. Over the last 12-18 months, global investors and central banks have been reducing US exposure—declining dollar share of reserves and adjusting Treasury holdings from levels like 60% to 50% or 65% to 45%—and diversifying into Swiss francs, Singapore dollars, gold, or Bitcoin. He no longer views US Treasuries as the safe haven of choice and sees early-stage opportunities in reliable non-US assets.
Jacob Shapiro Independent Geopolitical Analyst 20:12
Bullish Japan; when it wakes, explosive.
Japan has been in trouble for 30 years, but it is living proof that predicted collapse does not necessarily occur. It is one of the countries that can change very quickly once a real consensus for change emerges. A potential snap election under Takaichi could give a stronger mandate, and Japan faces a diplomatic spat with China plus doubts about its US security ally, which may force serious changes. When Japan wakes, the move could be explosive.
Jacob Shapiro Independent Geopolitical Analyst 27:15
Bullish Europe on defense and energy.
Europe has been left for dead many times, but if it decides to use its wealth and power to protect itself in a multipolar world, it can do so meaningfully. He is very bullish on Europe coming out of the Greenland saga regardless of the outcome. The bear case on European energy is old; by 2026, LNG from Qatar and Canada, scaled renewables, and nuclear discussions should mean Europe is far less crisis-prone than since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Jacob Shapiro Independent Geopolitical Analyst 27:40
German defense companies benefit from European rearmament.
If Europe moves to protect itself more broadly, German defense companies are a prime beneficiary. He points to their strong chart over the past 12 months and says to extrapolate that performance if it becomes a European-wide movement.
Jacob Shapiro Independent Geopolitical Analyst 28:11
Biotech, robotics, AI in secure-energy countries.
In a multipolar world, look for countries with secure, safe, cheap energy; strong R&D; and relative rule of law and stability. Advances in biotech, robotics, and artificial intelligence can be deployed to great effect by these smaller countries, creating opportunities hiding in plain sight.
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This Wealthion video, published January 21, 2026, features Jacob Shapiro discussing TLT, USD, GLD, CHF, SGD, BTC, EWJ, VGK, German defense companies, XBI, ROBO, Artificial Intelligence. 7 trade ideas extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.

Speakers: Jacob Shapiro  · Tickers: TLT, USD, GLD, CHF, SGD, BTC, EWJ, VGK, German defense companies, XBI, ROBO, Artificial Intelligence