Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit Washington to meet with Donald Trump on Monday, aiming to address new U.S. tariffs on Israeli goods and a range of key regional and diplomatic issues.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to travel to Washington to meet with former U.S. President Donald Trump and address a range of issues, including newly imposed U.S. tariffs on Israeli goods, his office announced on Saturday.
According to four Israeli officials and a White House source, the meeting is scheduled for Monday. The visit, described as impromptu, may mark the first attempt by a foreign leader to negotiate with Trump for the removal of tariffs.
Netanyahu, currently in Hungary, will depart for Washington on Sunday, his office confirmed. The discussions with Trump will also cover Israel-Turkey relations, Iran, efforts to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza, and Israel’s stance against the International Criminal Court (ICC), which recently issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Trump’s invitation was extended during a phone call on Thursday after Netanyahu raised concerns about the tariffs. As part of a broader trade policy shift, Israeli exports to the U.S. are now subject to a 17% tariff. The United States is Israel’s largest trading partner and key ally.
An Israeli finance ministry official noted that the new tariffs could significantly impact exports of machinery and medical devices. In response, Israel eliminated its remaining tariffs on U.S. imports earlier in the week. The two countries signed a free trade agreement four decades ago, and approximately 98% of U.S. goods entering Israel are now duty-free.
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