Trump and Netanyahu to meet at the White House on tariffs, Gaza war and Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, with Washington’s recently imposed global tariffs set to be part of their talks. This meeting comes at a critical moment on many key issues, including the efforts to return hostages being held by Hamas, the instability in Syria, and the threats posed by Iranian proxies.
Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter emphasized the importance of the upcoming meeting, stating that Netanyahu will be the first world leader to discuss deepening economic ties and trade relations with President Trump. The recent implementation of tariff policies will also be on the agenda, with concerns that these tariffs could impact exports of diamonds, high-tech goods, and defense systems like drones.
The U.S. total goods trade with Israel in 2024 was estimated at $37.0 billion, with a trade deficit of $7.4 billion. The Trump administration imposed a 17% tariff on goods imported from Israel, leading to efforts by Netanyahu to negotiate a reduction to 10%. This move surprised Netanyahu, prompting him to work towards lowering the tariff and eliminate remaining Israeli tariffs on U.S. agricultural goods.
In addition to trade issues, Netanyahu and Trump will also discuss the war against Hamas in Gaza, efforts to free remaining hostages, Turkey’s military intervention in Syria, the Iranian nuclear threat, and ongoing battles against arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court. The top issue on the agenda will be Iran and potential nuclear negotiations, with Netanyahu likely to caution Trump ahead of time.
Netanyahu expressed the significance of his visit to meet with President Trump, highlighting the special bond between the United States and Israel. This meeting underscores the importance of the relationship between the two countries and the efforts to strengthen economic ties and address pressing global issues.
Overall, the meeting between Netanyahu and Trump is expected to address a range of critical issues, from trade relations to regional security concerns. Both leaders will work towards finding common ground and solutions to ensure the continued stability and prosperity of their respective countries.
