 "Israel's Netanyahu to discuss tariffs and ‘Iranian threat’ with Trump during US visit")
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to Washington on Sunday to meet with US President Donald Trump and discuss issues including tariffs and the “Iranian threat”, his office said.
“The two leaders will discuss tariffs, efforts to bring back Israeli hostages (from Gaza), Israel-Turkey relations, the Iranian threat, and the fight against the International Criminal Court,” which has accused Netanyahu of war crimes, his office said in a statement on Saturday.
Netanyahu said he hopes President Trump will ease tariffs imposed on Israel when the two meet in Washington this week.
Trump’s recent tariff policy subjects Israeli exports to a 17% duty, despite the longstanding alliance and strong trade relationship between the two nations, with the US being Israel’s top trading partner.
Netanyahu, who had been in Hungary in recent days, is set to travel to Washington on Sunday for a hastily arranged meeting with Trump, expected to take place on Monday, according to officials.
In a statement, Netanyahu said the discussion would address several key issues, including Israeli hostages held in Gaza for 18 months, the goal of achieving victory in the Gaza conflict, and the new U.S. tariff policy impacting Israel.
”I hope that I will be able to help on this issue. That is the intention,” Netanyahu said of the tariffs. ”I am the first international leader, the first foreign leader, who will meet with President Trump on the issue, which is so important to the Israeli economy.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts”There is a long line of leaders who want to do this regarding their economies. I think that it reflects the special personal link, as well as the special ties between the U.S. and Israel, which is so vital at this time.”
Trump extended the surprise invitation in a phone call on Thursday with Netanyahu when the Israeli leader raised the tariff issue, according to the Israeli officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
An Israeli finance ministry official said on Thursday that Trump’s latest tariff announcement could impact Israel’s exports of machinery and medical equipment.
Israel had already moved to cancel its remaining tariffs on U.S. imports last Tuesday. The two countries signed a free trade agreement 40 years ago and about 98% of goods from the U.S. are now tax-free.
With inputs from agencies
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