 "President Donald Trump and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive for a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington. AP")
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump on Monday. Their discussions are expected to include tariffs, Iran, and the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.
Last week, Trump slapped 17 per cent tariffs on Israel. The tariffs were doubly embarrassing for Israel. Firstly, the tariffs on Israel are higher tariffs imposed on archenemy Iran (10 per cent). Secondly, Israel last week removed all tariffs on US goods. Despite no Israeli tariffs, Trump imposed tariffs on Israeli goods.
The meeting comes at a time when Trump has proposed direct talks with Iran over its nuclear programme. Iran has rejected the offer.
In recent months, reports have suggested that Trump and Netanyahu could team up to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities if Iran does not join talks and decides to go ahead with the development of nuclear weapon.
Tariffs, Gaza to top Trump-Netanyahu talks
In a hastily arranged visit, Netanyahu arrived in Washington DC on Sunday evening directly from Hungary where he met the country’s far-right ruler Viktor Orban.
Trump’s tariffs and the situation in Gaza, where the ceasefire agreement has collapsed and Israel has resumed attacks, are expected to be on top of the agenda.
Netanyahu is expected to seek reprieve from tariffs and shore up support for Israeli attacks in Gaza and build consensus regarding the approach to Iran.
Netanyahu has already held talks with Secretary of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
Ahead of the visit, Netanyahu invoked the rapport he has with Trump.
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More Shorts“I’m the first international leader, the first foreign leader who will meet with President Trump on a matter so crucial to Israel’s economy. I believe this reflects the special personal relationship and the unique bond between the United States and Israel, which is so vital at this time,” said Netanyahu.
As for Gaza, the two leaders are expected to discuss the ongoing situation as well as the post-war plan in which Trump wants the United States to take over Gaza and expel all Palestinians living there. Netanyahu has endorsed Trump’s vision.
Since March 18, around 1,400 people have been killed in Israel’s renewed attacks in Gaza, according to the Hamas-controlled local health authorities.
The deal for a ceasefire and release of hostages that Trump facilitated partially has collapsed. Hamas continues to hold 58 hostages in Gaza and protests are being held in Israel to urge Netanyahu to secure their release. Critics have said that Netanyahu is prolonging the war and intentionally delaying the release of hostages to stay in power by appeasing his extremist allies.