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Trump Seeks Diplomatic Boost from Netanyahu Amid Trade War Woes, Haaretz Analysis Suggests

A hastily arranged meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a strategic move driven more by the American President's political needs than pressing geopolitical concerns, according to an analysis by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. The Israeli newspaper contends that the primary motivation for the summit is President Trump's desire for a positive news cycle amidst the economic and political fallout from his administration's escalating trade war.

The analysis posits that Trump, facing criticism and market instability triggered by his tariff strategies, desperately requires a diplomatic "success" story. He needs images of world leaders engaging with him on trade to project the narrative that his confrontational approach is yielding results and forcing partners to negotiate "fair trade agreements." Haaretz suggests that Netanyahu has willingly stepped into this role, becoming the first leader to seemingly answer Trump's implicit call, thereby providing the President with much-needed political cover.

While Netanyahu's office has briefed Israeli media that the discussions will primarily focus on the threat posed by Iran – a topic more resonant with the domestic Israeli audience – Haaretz argues this is secondary to the meeting's true purpose. The analysis points out that Netanyahu met with the U.S. Secretary of Commerce ahead of the presidential meeting, indicating trade is indeed a key component, likely involving Netanyahu offering assurances aligned with Trump's desires. According to Haaretz, the expectation is that Trump will favorably remember Netanyahu's timely assistance for future consideration.

Furthermore, the Haaretz piece contrasts Netanyahu's engagement with the stance of other global leaders. It argues that leaders from Canada, Mexico, the European Union, and China, despite potential economic pain from the trade war, are content to watch Trump struggle with the consequences of his own policies. They reportedly see an opportunity to potentially weaken Trump politically and are not rushing to bail him out. The analysis suggests that Trump's established tactic of using bombastic threats to dominate the news cycle and force negotiations is becoming less effective as international counterparts have grown accustomed to his methods, raising apprehensions about the potential consequences of Trump's struggle.

The Haaretz analysis underscores that the Trump-Netanyahu meeting is primarily a political maneuver for President Trump. It provides him with a temporary respite from the tariff debacle rather than representing a significant shift or urgent consultation on major issues like the Iran nuclear program or the ongoing Gaza hostage crisis. The analysis notes that these crucial issues may be sidelined by Trump's preoccupation with the trade war.


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