Trump Drops 500% Tariff Shockwave, Crypto Trembles — Bitcoin Breakdown Ahead?
US President Donald Trump on Friday voiced assist for a Senate measure that might let the US impose tariffs of up to 500% on imports from nations nonetheless shopping for Russian power. “It could be okay with me,” he stated.
Based on stories, the proposal names oil, pure gasoline, petroleum merchandise and uranium as lined items and highlights main patrons similar to India and China.
The transfer is described as a software meant to squeeze Russia’s export revenues, however the measure stays proposed and has not grow to be regulation.
Tariffs Up To 500% On Energy Imports
Reports have disclosed that the invoice would give the President authority to slap punitive duties — as high as 500% — on items coming from any nation judged to be materially buying and selling in Russian power.
JUST IN:
President Trump approves invoice permitting 500% tariffs on international locations buying and selling with Russia. pic.twitter.com/qaBKVUMwTN
— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) November 17, 2025
Lawmakers behind the textual content say the measure targets power purchases that assist fund Moscow. How the tariff could be utilized, and the precise record of products and exceptions, continues to be being labored out in committee.
Legal specialists warn {that a} 500% obligation would increase rapid questions on commerce guidelines and potential retaliation.
Immediate Shock To Risk Assets
Markets reacted quick. Crypto merchants moved to the exits within the first hours after the information, pushing volatility up throughout main tokens.
Nearly $620 million in crypto positions have been liquidated in 24 hours, forcing over 152,000 merchants out, with a single $30 million BTC-USD order on Hyperliquid being the most important hit.
Major altcoins like XRP, Solana, and Cardano noticed sharp swings, and Ethereum dropped towards the $3,000 degree.
Bitcoin took a 1% hit following the information. In the final week, BTC has misplaced near 10% of its worth since hitting an all-time high of $126k on October 6, 2025.
The crypto market is extremely delicate to geopolitical commerce shocks. Analysts warn {that a} proposed 500% tariff on international locations buying and selling with Russia—considerably greater than previous charges that prompted a $200 billion wipeout—might set off extreme panic promoting.
Analysts imagine that if the large-scale tariff is introduced into impact, its short-term impact might lower Bitcoin and main altcoins’ costs by 10% to twenty% as a consequence of elevated financial uncertainty and panic.
Wider Economic Ripples And Energy Prices
If the tariffs have been ever utilized, power flows could be disrupted. That might push crude and gasoline costs greater, and better power prices normally feed into inflation.
Central banks may reply by holding charges greater for longer, which might harm danger property together with crypto. Yet, historical past exhibits that when a brand new value regime takes maintain, individuals generally search options to money and financial institution deposits. That dynamic is a part of why crypto markets are watching this proposal so intently.
Featured picture from David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images, chart from TradingView


President Trump approves invoice permitting 500% tariffs on international locations buying and selling with Russia.