Netanyahu and Trump to discuss tariffs, Iran, and Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, with the spotlight on newly announced U.S. tariffs against Israeli goods and growing regional tensions involving Iran.

This visit marks the first by a foreign leader since Trump’s sweeping tariff announcement last Wednesday, which included a 17 percent levy on Israeli imports. Netanyahu’s goal is to persuade the U.S. president to soften or revoke the decision before it becomes entrenched in policy.

Seeking Exemptions and Strategic Cooperation

Netanyahu arrived from Hungary and emphasized the urgency of the talks, noting that his meeting with Trump will address multiple high-stakes matters, particularly the economic impact of the tariff regime.

He stated that being the first foreign leader to raise the issue directly with Trump reflects the close ties between the two nations. Israeli officials hope to obtain a carve-out from the tariffs, which they believe could be mutually beneficial for U.S.-Israel relations and politically convenient for Republican lawmakers who support Israel but may avoid challenging Trump directly.

Despite preemptively removing its last import duties on U.S. goods in hopes of avoiding inclusion in the tariff list, Israel was not spared. Trump justified the decision by citing the U.S. trade imbalance with Israel, despite its status as a major recipient of American military aid.

Beyond trade, Netanyahu will also focus on security matters, particularly the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the fate of Israeli hostages still held by Palestinian militants. The ceasefire brokered in January collapsed in March, and since then Israeli air and ground operations have resumed, with over 1,300 casualties reported in Gaza.

There are currently 58 hostages still held in the territory, of which the Israeli military believes 34 are no longer alive.

The Iranian nuclear program will also feature prominently in the discussions. The U.S. has been pushing for direct negotiations with Tehran for a new nuclear agreement, but Iran’s foreign minister has dismissed the idea, calling such talks meaningless. With diplomatic efforts stalled, speculation has intensified over the possibility of a military strike by Israel — potentially with U.S. backing — if diplomacy fails to yield results.