Israeli PM meets US trade officials to seek a resolution before the Trump summit; hopes are pinned on the president's flexibility.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his state visit to the United States, focusing squarely on newly imposed American tariffs. He met with key US trade officials shortly after he arrived in Washington late Sunday night/early Monday morning. The visit, scheduled to last until Wednesday, comes amid rising trade tensions between the two allies.
The Jerusalem Post reported that Netanyahu met with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Sunday night to directly address the 17% tariffs recently imposed by President Donald Trump's administration on Israeli goods. According to an Israeli source cited by the Post, the discussions yielded "positive messages" and explored "various options for resolving the tariff issue." However, the source emphasized that the ultimate decision rests with President Trump. Israel's Government Press Office (GPO) officially described the meeting as "warm, friendly and productive."
The Trump administration's push for trade reciprocity is the backdrop to these talks. In a statement last Wednesday following the tariff announcement, Greer justified the move as "urgent action to protect the national security and economy" of the US, according to The Jerusalem Post. Greer highlighted a "chronic trade deficit" and the need to "level the playing field for American workers and manufacturers."
There are indications that Israel is seeking common ground. Israel Hayom reported that a preliminary move by Israel to reduce its own tariffs on American goods was "positively received" by the US administration. This reduction in tariffs could lead to increased trade between the two countries, benefiting both Israeli and American businesses. A senior official, speaking to Israel Hayom, suggested that "Trump may show flexibility on the tariff issue."
The Jerusalem Post noted that the tariff concerns have already had repercussions, with various indexes on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange opening lower on Monday due to fears over their potential impact.
High-Stakes Meeting with Trump Looms
The trade discussions are a prelude to Netanyahu's main event: a meeting with President Trump scheduled for Monday evening. According to i24 News, this will include a one-on-one session and an expanded meeting with negotiating teams, including US envoy Steve Witkoff.
President Trump, speaking before the meeting, indicated the agenda would cover more than just commerce. "We are going to talk about trade, and we are going to talk about the obvious issue, you know what the obvious issue is! A lot of things are happening right now in the Middle East that need to be silenced," Trump stated, as quoted by i24 News. The 'obvious issue' likely refers to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, as well as other regional security concerns. Israel Hayom also learned that security issues are expected to be central to the discussions between the two leaders.
i24 News reported that Netanyahu's schedule includes meeting with US Vice President JD Evans on Tuesday morning and engagements with various Senators throughout his visit. The Israeli Prime Minister arrived in Washington directly from a state visit to Hungary and is expected to return to Israel on Wednesday morning.