Investors in 2025 face arguably far more uncertainty than any other period of the 21st century so far, perhaps excluding only the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global financial crisis before it. As we approach the halfway point of the year, we have two horrid wars raging in the world, as well as remarkable and unprecedented chaos playing out within the pillar of the global economy, the United States.
As such, it might be prudent to consider the shock-absorbing capabilities in one's own ASX share portfolio right now. We've already had a trial run in 2025 when it comes to uncertainty. That was the quickly-neutered 'liberation day' tariff plans that were announced by President Donald Trump back in April. Although these tariffs have apparently been paused for 90 days, what happens next will play a huge role in what's in store for the financial markets over the rest of the year.
As such, I think it's a good chance to discuss two ASX that any investor can add to their portfolios today if they wish to boost their defences against uncertainty.
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Two defensive ETFs to bolster an ASX share portfolio today
Global X Physical Gold ETF (ASX: GOLD)
Gold is the traditional safe-haven asset. Investors have debated its appropriate uses in an investing portfolio for time immemorial. However, there's no denying that gold tends to shine when there are significant concerns over geopolitical and economic uncertainty. After all, it's no accident that the precious metal has hit multiple new all-time records in 2025 to date.
With this in mind, investors seeking to add some defensiveness to a portfolio might want to consider a gold ETF. The Global X Physical Gold ETF allows investors to gain exposure to the price movements of gold, in Australian dollar terms, without actually owning the physical bars or coins themselves.
Bear in mind that gold pays no yield, and the Global X Gold ETF will charge you a management fee of 0.4% per annum. Even so, if the global economy is again beset by uncertainty and fear, this defensive ETF could well continue to be something of a safe haven.
iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (ASX: IXI)
Another corner of the investing markets that investors can look to for defensiveness is the consumer staples sector. Consumer staples companies produce goods and services that we tend to need to buy on a regular basis, not just when we're feeling cashed up. This typically includes food, drinks and household essentials, as well as alcohol and tobacco.
This defensive ETF holds an underlying portfolio of global companies that are all leaders in providing these goods and services (mostly goods). They include Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola Co, McDonald's, Colgate-Palmolive and Philip Morris International. As well as our own Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) and Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW).
Given the essential nature of the products these companies produce, they are inherently resistant to most kinds of economic shocks, which is something very few other sectors can tout. As a result, I think owning this defensive ETF in a portfolio is conducive to sleeping well and night. IXI charges an annual management fee of 0.41%.
