Trump–Xi Seoul Summit Eases Tariffs and Sparks Crypto Rebound After $380B Market Shock

The meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Seoul on October 30, 2025, arrived at a critical moment for global markets. Weeks earlier, harsh tariff threats between the world’s two largest economies had shaken investors and erased around $380 billion from the total value of the crypto market. Bitcoin briefly fell near $103,000 as traders feared deeper economic conflict.

The Seoul discussions offered a breather. Both leaders signaled an intention to reduce tensions, which immediately lifted confidence across stocks, commodities, and digital assets. The meeting did not deliver a full trade agreement, but it produced clear signs of cooperation and a shared commitment to avoid further escalation. Trump stated that both sides had “agreed to a lot already” and expected more progress soon. Xi emphasized stable long-term relations. These statements alone helped calm fears and set the stage for a modest market rebound.

Although the final terms of a broader deal remain unnamed, both governments made small but meaningful gestures. The United States signaled it would reduce certain tariffs, including those affecting some Malaysian exports. These include equipment related to Bitcoin mining, which previously faced tariffs approaching 19%.

China, in return, showed willingness to relax restrictions on rare earth shipments, a vital supply chain for electronics, AI hardware, and mining devices. Beijing also indicated it would increase purchases of U.S. soybeans, a key agricultural export that has been repeatedly caught in trade disputes. Even without a full agreement, these steps eased market tension. They suggested both nations preferred cooperation over confrontation, reducing the risk of future tariff shocks.

These moves did not erase the earlier sell-off, but they signaled renewed optimism after a turbulent month. Investors began pricing in the possibility of stronger global trade, steadier supply chains, and better conditions for industries connected to AI and blockchain. The effects of trade tension reach far beyond politics. Crypto mining, blockchain hardware, and AI infrastructure rely on international supply chains that can be disrupted by tariffs, shipping restrictions, or trade bans. When tensions rise, costs increase, production slows, and investors retreat from risk-heavy assets.

A more stable U.S.–China relationship reduces such concerns. Miners gain access to cheaper equipment. AI companies see fewer supply delays. Crypto investors feel more confident holding assets tied to global technology growth. The Seoul meeting also aligned with a broader market recovery that could push the crypto market back above $4.4 trillion in total value. It did not solve every challenge, but it slowed the pace of uncertainty at a time when investors needed clarity.

What Comes Next After Trump–Xi Summit?

The true impact of the Seoul summit will unfold over the coming months. If the commitments to loosen tariffs and trade restrictions continue, crypto markets could see stronger inflows as global investment conditions improve. If negotiations stall or reverse, volatility may return. For now, traders and long-term investors are watching two signals closely, further U.S.–China announcements and the stability of global supply chains that support mining, hardware manufacturing, and Web3 development.

The Seoul meeting may not have delivered a historic treaty, but it offered reassurance at a moment of widespread uncertainty. That reassurance alone was enough to lift crypto out of a steep decline and renew hope for a more stable end to 2025.