Trump Tariff Policies Persist: Yellen Confirms Ongoing Strategy

On December 3rd, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced that former President Trump’s tariff policies have entrenched a 15% to 20% rate as a standard, impacting global markets.

This tariff policy creates economic pressures, affecting trade and influencing volatile cryptocurrency markets, with significant Bitcoin price movements due to investor reactions and liquidity shifts.

Trump’s Tariffs At 15%-20%: Economic Pressure on Markets

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has publicly stated that tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump, ranging from 15% to 20%, are now a foundational aspect of U.S. trade policy. These tariffs represent a significant element of Trump’s economic agenda, designed to influence global trade relations.

The tariffs continue to generate lower-than-expected revenue, amounting to about 400 billion USD annually, missing earlier projections of up to 1 trillion USD. As a consequence, U.S. businesses and consumers experience an economic burden, reflecting in costlier goods and potential inflationary pressures. Economic analysts have highlighted that the tariffs “act as a tax burden on U.S. companies and consumers,” estimated to cost American shoppers around $29 billion this holiday season: Fortune.

Market reactions have varied, with some institutional investors adjusting their strategies. A noted “Trump Insider Whale” executed a 121.5 million USD short on Bitcoin, pointing to bearish sentiment amid the shifting economic landscape. This sentiment is mirrored across the cryptocurrency market: Bitcoin open interest shows fluctuations that suggest traders are responding to macroeconomic signals.

Bitcoin Market Sentiment: Instability Amid Trade Uncertainty

Did you know? Historical U.S. tariffs during the 1930s, like the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, led to global trade declines and economic strain, similar to today’s market concerns amid continuing Trump tariffs.

Bitcoin (BTC) currently trades at 93,024.61 USD, with its market cap at approximately 1.86 trillion USD as of December 3, 2025. Bitcoin shows a 2.11% price increase over 24 hours despite broader market pressures. However, over the past 60 days, BTC has decreased by 23.80%, indicating ongoing volatility amid economic developments: Bitcoin eyes 100K, which reflects potential bullish forecasts amid market uncertainties.

The Coincu research team highlights the potential for further financial instability should tariffs persist as a market constant. Without resolution, ongoing tensions could loft project roadmaps within the crypto industry creating uncertainty across investor portfolios. For continuous updates on market conditions, you can follow the latest updates from the CoinGape Media Twitter account.