From NATO Chats to Soybean Handshakes  and What It Means for Crypto

The Oval Office turned into a geopolitical theater on October 22, 2025, as Donald Trump hosted NATO’s new chief, Mark Rutte , the Dutch diplomat famous for dad jokes and quiet steel. Officially, it was a meeting on Ukraine and alliance security. Unofficially, it became Trump’s latest audition as global dealmaker-in-chief.

The Scene: Rutte had barely opened his notes before Trump dropped the headline quote: “I think we’ll make a deal.” The deal? A potential thaw with China. The same Trump who once slapped 25% tariffs on Chinese imports now sounded almost sentimental, hinting that next week’s APEC summit in South Korea (Oct 30) could feature a handshake heard around global markets.

On the table: soybeans and semiconductors, two industries caught in the crossfire of trade spats. U.S. farmers have felt the sting of China’s import freeze since May, while Beijing’s rare-earth export curbs are pressuring giants like Tesla and Apple. Trump’s playbook? Threaten 100% tariffs by November 1 , then charm Xi over dinner. Classic Trump: one part threat, one part theatrics.

Why It Matters:
Early-stage prep talks are already happening in Malaysia between U.S. Treasury envoy Scott Bessent and China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng,  groundwork for what could be a trillion-dollar thaw. Analysts estimate a potential $35 billion in tariff relief if talks advance, which could ease inflationary pressure and spark a global “risk-on” rally.

Rutte called the session “incredibly good,” which in diplomat-speak means no meltdowns, no new cheese tariffs. Still, Trump hinted that nuclear arms discussions might also be on the table  fusing Cold War nostalgia with 21st-century dealcraft.

The Crypto Angle:
Trump’s trade optimism isn’t just moving soybeans,  it’s stirring crypto sentiment. The market reads détente as liquidity. Bitcoin is holding around $109,000 and Ethereum near $3,850, consolidating after a choppy week. A friendlier U.S.–China tone could mean:

  • A softer dollar → bullish for Bitcoin as a “non-sovereign hedge.”

  • Revived risk appetite → renewed inflows into crypto.

  • Supply chain realignments → fresh attention on blockchain logistics and DeFi infrastructure.

Deribit data shows BTC call open interest at record highs near $115K, signaling traders are betting on an upside breakout if diplomacy sticks. Altcoins tied to Asian liquidity ; BNB, SOL, ONDO are already trending higher.


If Trump and Xi manage even a symbolic handshake at APEC, global markets could see a short-term melt-up and crypto may lead the charge. But if talks sour, expect sharp reversals and volatility spikes across digital assets.

Either way, next week’s APEC summit in Seoul isn’t just a trade show  it’s the next macro catalyst for crypto. In Trump’s words? “China deal incoming BIGLY.”