US Imposes Tariffs on European Goods Starting February 2026

TLDR

• 10% tariffs on European goods effective February 2026.
• Bitcoin stable at $95,237.94 amid tariff announcements.
• France hints at potential countermeasures against US tariffs.

The U.S. has announced tariffs on European goods starting February 2026. President Donald Trump specified a 10% tariff rate, which could rise to 25% by June 2026, unless Denmark agrees to sell Greenland. The announcement does not show any confirmation concerning a cancellation or impacts on the crypto market as of January 21, 2026.

Historical data shows Trump's tariff threats are typical of his negotiation tactics. The impact on the cryptocurrency market was stable, unlike previous reactions. This is in contrast to an earlier event in October 2025, where a threat led to a $19 billion crypto market wipeout.

Recent Market Responses

Bitcoin remained stable, priced at $95,237.94, while Ethereum saw a slight increase of 0.7% to $3,321.75. Conversely, XRP experienced a small decline of 0.3%, ending at $2.06. The overall crypto market has shown stability, deviating from the volatilities observed in past scenarios.

Despite the absence of major swings in cryptocurrency values, there is significant interest on prediction platforms. Polymarket reported a 14% increase in "yes" bets regarding Trump's acquisition of Greenland by 2027. On Kalshi, there is a 41% prediction of partial acquisition by January 2029.

Political and Economic Insights

Anthony Scaramucci shared concerns about the potential geopolitical risks. In a recent statement, he mentioned the possibility of NATO fracturing, exacerbated by the Greenland dispute. He suggested the removal of President Trump might mitigate these risks.

Similar past events include threats of high tariffs leading to economic negotiations. In October 2025, Trump's tariff threats targeted China, causing substantial market reactions. In the past, such tactics often led to trade agreements.

European Reactions and Developments

European countries have responded to these tariff threats. France hinted at countermeasures. Despite these tensions, France seemed to downplay the risk of actual tariffs being implemented.

As of now, no regulatory updates have been released from organizations like SEC, CFTC, or ESMA. The absence of governmental responses suggests a possibly cautious approach to the developing situation.