Bitcoin slides below $88k as EU freezes US trade talks over Greenland tensions

Bitcoin fell below the $88,000 mark on 21 January, extending a multi-week pullback as global markets digested renewed geopolitical and trade uncertainty between the European Union and the United States.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading near $87,500–$88,000, down on the day and firmly below recent range highs.

The move places Bitcoin at its weakest level in several weeks. Also, it follows repeated failures to reclaim the $95,000–$100,000 zone earlier this month.

EU halts progress on US trade deal

The latest bout of market caution follows an announcement from the European Parliament that it has suspended work on key legislation underpinning the EU–US “Turnberry” trade deal. 

The decision was confirmed by Bernd Lange, chair of Parliament’s International Trade Committee. This was after political groups agreed that negotiations could not continue under the current conditions.

According to the statement, the pause was triggered by what EU officials described as continued threats to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Denmark and Greenland, alongside the use of tariffs as a coercive policy tool. 

Until the United States re-engages on a cooperative path, legislative work tied to the agreement will remain on hold.

Bitcoin’s technical structure remains weak

From a market perspective, Bitcoin’s price action reflects a broader risk-off tone rather than a single headline reaction. The daily chart shows a clear sequence of lower highs since October, with selling pressure intensifying during November’s breakdown. 

Source: TradingView

Subsequent rebounds have been shallow and short-lived, suggesting limited conviction among buyers.

Trading volume has tended to rise on downswings. This reinforces the view that recent moves are driven by distribution rather than temporary volatility.

Bitcoin’s inability to stabilise above former support levels has left the asset vulnerable to further downside if macro uncertainty persists.

Macro uncertainty weighs on risk assets

While it is difficult to draw a direct causal link, Bitcoin’s weakness coincides with rising geopolitical and trade-related tensions between major economic blocs. 

The freezing of EU–US trade talks adds to an already fragile macro backdrop, characterised by tariff threats and shifting diplomatic relations.

In such environments, higher-risk assets have historically struggled to attract sustained inflows, as investors reassess exposure and prioritise capital preservation.

Final Thoughts

• Bitcoin’s slide below $88,000 reflects a broader risk-off environment rather than an isolated crypto-specific event.
• Renewed EU–US trade tensions add another layer of macro uncertainty at a time when Bitcoin’s technical structure is already fragile.