Another warning signal has lit up, this time pointing to the US tariff policy.

What has happened recently? It all started with a statement from the US President. Starting from February 1, 2026, European countries such as Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland will impose a 10% tariff on goods exported to the US, and this rate will jump to 25% after six months. This is not a normal trade adjustment but a direct economic pressure.

In response, the EU quickly took action. On January 18, Brussels held an emergency meeting to consider imposing tariffs on US goods worth 93 billion euros or restricting US companies from entering the EU market. The tense atmosphere between the two major economies can be felt even through screens.

You might be wondering, what does this have to do with the crypto market? It’s a lot. Looking back at 2025, we’ve seen similar scenarios—at that time, US tariffs on Chinese goods reached as high as 145%, triggering a chain reaction. The market’s performance back then was like a frightened bird, with any geopolitical disturbance capable of stirring up waves.

This time, the US-Europe confrontation is larger in scale and broader in scope. When trade frictions escalate to this level, investors’ risk appetite usually drops significantly. Safe-haven sentiment rises, market liquidity tightens, and small-cap coins are hit hardest. Mainstream assets like Bitcoin are often regarded as "safe havens," but overall market volatility is sure to increase.

The key points are these timing moments—two tariff adjustment points in February and June—that could serve as stress tests for the market. Policy uncertainty pushes up risk premiums, posing challenges to both technical and emotional aspects. Experienced traders should now be re-evaluating their positions, as the coming months are likely to be quite volatile.