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    Vignesh is a young journalist with a decade of experience. A proud alumnus of IIJNM, Bengaluru, he spent six years as a Sub-Editor for a leading business magazine, published from Kerala. His interest in futuristic technologies took him to a US-based software company specialising in Web3, Blockchain and AI. This stint inspired him to view the future of journalism through the lens of next generation technologies. Now, he covers the crypto scene for Coinpedia, uncovering a vibrant new world where technology and journalism converge.

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    Trump to Announce New Tariffs on April 2: How Will Crypto Markets React?

    Story Highlights
    • President Trump plans to announce new reciprocal tariffs on April 2nd, aiming to reduce the US trade deficit.

    • Previous tariff announcements correlated with significant Bitcoin price drops, raising concerns about the upcoming announcement's impact.

    • The market's reaction, and thus crypto prices, will depend on the aggressiveness and scope of the announced tariffs.

    US President Donald Trump is set to announce a new round of reciprocal tariffs on April 2, calling it the “liberation day” for the US economy. In a recent statement, he made it clear that he has no plans to soften his tough stance on trade policies.

    This announcement follows the tariffs he imposed in February on Canada, Mexico, and China, which led to a sharp decline in the cryptocurrency market. That month, Bitcoin dropped by 17.5%. Now, investors are watching closely to see how this new round of tariffs might impact cryptocurrencies, especially Bitcoin.

    The US Trade Deficit: A Longstanding Issue

    The main goal of these tariffs is to reduce the US trade deficit, which has been growing since 1976.

    In January, the US Balance of Trade increased from -98.06 USD Billion to -131.38 USD Billion. The US has the largest trade deficit in the world.  

    According to the World Population Review, 15 countries account for most of the US trade deficit. These include China, Mexico, Vietnam, Ireland, Germany, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Thailand, India, Italy, Switzerland, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

    Which Countries Will Be Affected?

    In 2024, the largest deficit in the US was with China ($270.4B). The US had a trade deficit of $157.2B with Mexico, $113.1B with Vietnam, $80.5B with Ireland, $76.4B with Germany, $67.4B with Taiwan, $62.6B with Japan, $60.2B with South Korea, $54.8B with Canada, $41.5B with Thailand, $41.5B with India, $39.7B with Italy, $25.5B with Switzerland, $22.1B with Malaysia, and $16.4B with Indonesia. 

    Trump’s recent statements suggest that he is determined to address this growing trade gap.

    What to Expect from the New Tariffs

    Reports suggest that the tariffs will mainly target countries with large trade surpluses and high barriers to US exports. However, there are rumors that the administration may take a cautious approach at first, possibly leaving out key industries such as automobiles, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals.

    Will Crypto Markets Take Another Hit?

    In February, the US government, under the leadership of Trump, introduced tough tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico. In the same month, the Bitcoin price declined by over 17.5%. 

    At the start of February 1, the BTC price was at $102,314.57. On the last day of the month, it slipped to a low of $84,400. Currently, the Bitcoin price stands at $86,683. This clearly indicates that the market has not yet recovered from the impact of the February price drop. 

    With the new tariffs approaching, analysts are divided on how the markets will react.

    • If the tariffs are aggressive, stock and bond markets may fall, which could also drag down cryptocurrencies.
    • If the tariffs are less severe or delayed, markets could see a recovery, and major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum may regain strength.

    As April 2 approaches, traders and investors are watching closely to see how Trump’s latest trade decision will shape the future of global markets.

    Never Miss a Beat in the Crypto World!

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    FAQs

    Why do tariffs impact the crypto market?

    Tariffs can trigger stock market declines and risk-off sentiment, which often spills over into crypto markets, causing price fluctuations​

    Will Bitcoin recover if the tariffs are less aggressive?

    If tariffs are limited or delayed, market uncertainty may decrease, potentially leading to a crypto rebound as risk sentiment improves​

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