Global Markets Rebound; Bitcoin Hits $96k as U.S. and China Prepare for Crucial Trade Talks in Switzerland

Global Markets and Bitcoin Rebound

The long-standing economic standoff between the U.S. and China may finally be seeing a break in the clouds. For the first time in months, top officials from both countries are set to meet face-to-face in neutral Switzerland — and markets are already responding.

Bitcoin surged past $96,500, and traditional stock indices in Asia and the U.S. rallied on the news. The crypto world, often hypersensitive to macroeconomic developments, sees the move as a possible signal of easing global tensions — and maybe, just maybe, the start of a broader market thaw.

A Meeting That Could Shift Global Markets

This weekend’s meeting will bring together U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who will sit down with China’s top economic official, He Lifeng. Their goal: begin unwinding a trade war that has gripped the world economy and disrupted everything from soybean exports to semiconductor supply chains.

Washington and Beijing confirmed the meeting almost simultaneously, a rare moment of synchronicity that sent a message — intentionally or not — that both sides might finally be ready to talk seriously.

Scott Bessent, speaking on Fox News, hinted that the goal isn’t a grand deal — yet. “This will be about de-escalation,” he said plainly. “We've got to de-escalate before we can move forward.”

Trade Tensions at a Boiling Point

Under President Donald Trump’s renewed administration, the U.S. has slapped aggressive tariffs on hundreds of Chinese imports, with some goods facing duties as high as 145%. China has returned fire with its own countermeasures, pushing tariffs up to 125% on U.S. goods, including agriculture, autos, and tech.

The result? Supply chains have buckled, global GDP forecasts have been downgraded, and markets — both traditional and digital — have yo-yoed on every headline.

China’s Economic Stakes Grow

For China, the pressure is building. Analysts now estimate that the trade war could wipe out as many as 16 million jobs, especially in manufacturing sectors already squeezed by slowing global demand. In response, the People’s Bank of China has stepped in, offering fresh stimulus through rate cuts and liquidity boosts to buffer against the fallout.

Yet, there are signs that Beijing is ready to play ball. A spokesperson from China’s Foreign Ministry framed the talks as a response to “global expectations” and the needs of both domestic consumers and international partners.

But there was a clear warning as well: "If the U.S. says one thing but then does another... China will never agree." A reminder that even if talks begin, the path ahead remains precarious.

Bitcoin and Crypto Reacts Swiftly

Traders didn’t wait for outcomes. As soon as news of the meeting broke: Bitcoin jumped $1,700 in under ten minutes, XRP rose to $2.15, a 1% gain, Cardano climbed 3% and Dogecoin advanced 1.5%. Crypto investors often see geopolitical clarity — or even the hope of it — as a green light. If U.S.–China tensions ease, it could spur cross-border capital flows and revive risk appetite, both of which typically benefit digital assets.

A New Chapter, or Just a Pause?

It’s too early to say whether this weekend’s talks will mark a turning point or merely a pause before the next round of friction. Still, the optics matter. For two governments that have spent months trading jabs, just sitting at the same table is progress.

With global markets watching closely, and cryptocurrencies acting as early barometers of sentiment, this high-stakes diplomatic chess match could determine not only trade flows but also the tone of the global economy heading into the second half of 2025.