Is Trump Setting Up New Tariff Deals? Looking at the Recent Global Economic Agreement

The weekend ended with a bang in the global markets—not because of any sudden crash, but due to a series of mixed and surprising signals from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding new tariff policy changes. 

As Trump ramped up his tough stance on China through potential tariff reintroductions, the shockwaves weren’t limited to politics or trade circles alone. The cryptocurrency market, especially Bitcoin, responded almost instantly, with prices dipping sharply amid growing investor uncertainty.

Now, with global traders and policymakers on edge, one question looms large: Is Trump preparing for a new era of tariff deals—and what might that mean for crypto and beyond?

Bitcoin Reacts to Tariff Turbulence

As Trump’s comments over the weekend hinted at fresh tariffs targeting Chinese imports—particularly electronics such as smartphones and semiconductors—Bitcoin’s price fell more than 2%, touching $83,482 during Asian trading hours. This drop marked a sharp reversal from the relative calm seen earlier in the week.

Unlike traditional markets that appeared to recover quickly—with Nasdaq 100 futures up over 1%, and S&P 500 futures gaining 0.7%—crypto assets showed weaker resilience. 

Ethereum also slipped below the $1,600 mark, while altcoins posted mixed performance, according to CoinGecko.

Why the dip? Investors are reacting to two key concerns: inflation risk and uncertain U.S. economic policy, both of which can significantly affect crypto's short-term prospects.

Read also: US vs China: How This Trade War Will Destroy the Global Economy

Trump’s “Reciprocal” Tariff Messaging: What Did He Say?

Late on Sunday, Trump turned to Truth Social, his social media platform, to clarify the administration’s position. 

While earlier statements suggested a temporary exemption for some electronics from the 10% “reciprocal” tariffs, Trump stated emphatically that these same products would still face a separate 20% tariff tied to national security and fentanyl-related concerns.

“NOBODY is getting ‘off the hook’ for the unfair trade balances… especially not China,” Trump wrote. “There was no tariff ‘exception’ announced on Friday.”

This back-and-forth has added to market confusion, with investors unsure whether the new policy represents a genuine shift in trade strategy or a political play ahead of upcoming U.S. elections.

Commerce Department Signals More to Come

If you thought this was the end of the tariff story—think again. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed that additional sector-specific tariffs on electronics would be rolled out within the next two months. 

These announcements raise the stakes for global supply chains, particularly for countries heavily reliant on China-based manufacturing.

From a broader perspective, this could potentially push inflation higher again, just as the Federal Reserve was expected to consider cutting interest rates. But now, analysts are adjusting their forecasts.

Read also: Official Trump (TRUMP): Will This Meme Coin Pump or Dump After 40 Million Tokens Are Unlocked?

How This Tariff Noise Is Disrupting Crypto Market Sentiment

What does a tariff on laptops or semiconductors have to do with Bitcoin? More than you’d think. Traders had recently built positions in the hope that inflation was cooling, which would allow the Federal Reserve to cut rates sooner rather than later. 

But if Trump’s tariff measures spark price increases across imports, the Fed may be forced to delay any rate cuts, making risk assets like crypto less attractive in the short term. According to Darren Chu, consulting analyst at BRN:

“Anticipation has dampened for an emergency rate cut… medium-term inflationary effects from the Trump administration tariffs are now expected to keep Powell from cutting before June.”

In simpler terms: no rate cut soon means tighter conditions for crypto growth.

Key Levels to Watch in the Crypto Market

Analysts are now eyeing $81,000 as a critical support level for Bitcoin. If the price dips below that line, it could trigger a wave of liquidations on leveraged positions—potentially pushing prices even lower in the short term.

This fragile setup highlights how global economic decisions, especially from influential figures like Trump, can directly impact investor sentiment across traditional finance and digital assets alike.

FAQ

Q: What did Trump say about new tariffs?
A: Trump announced a 10% “reciprocal” tariff policy and a separate 20% levy on certain Chinese electronics, citing national security concerns.

Q: How did crypto markets react?
A: Bitcoin dropped over 2%, falling to $83,482, while Ethereum dipped below $1,600. Altcoins had mixed performance.

Q: Will there be more tariffs?
A: Yes. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed that more sector-specific tariffs, especially on electronics, are expected in the next two months.

Q: Why do tariffs affect crypto prices?
A: Tariffs can lead to higher inflation, which may delay interest rate cuts from the Fed—something that typically weighs down crypto prices.

Q: What are the key support levels for Bitcoin now?
A: Analysts are watching $81,000 as a crucial support level. A break below could cause further declines due to liquidations.