Physical gold is leaving America for China and Switzerland, and that's a warning sign for the U.S.

• Large amounts of physical gold are flowing out of the U.S., heading to Switzerland first and then to China.
• Throughout history, the country shipping its gold away is usually the one losing power, while the country buying it up is the one gaining.
• China stacking up gold suggests it is positioning itself as the stronger economy going forward.
• The shift hints that gold, not the dollar, is where real financial strength is moving.

Outlook: If gold keeps flowing east, expect more talk of China rising and the dollar's grip weakening.