Trump’s latest tariff rollout could affect Israel’s machinery and medical equipment exports, an Israeli finance ministry official said on April 3.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on April 6 that he is hoping U.S. President Donald Trump will reduce tariffs levied on Israel when the two meet in Washington this week.
Trump announced baseline and reciprocal tariffs on all U.S. trading partners on April 2, with Israeli imports facing a 17 percent tariff beginning April 9. The United States is Israel’s biggest single trading partner and its closest ally.
After spending the past few days visiting Hungary, Netanyahu departed for Washington on April 6 to visit with Trump on April 7, officials said.
The discussions will cover the Israeli hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza after 18 months, securing victory in Gaza against the terrorist group, and the U.S. tariff regime on Israel, he said in a statement.
“I hope that I will be able to help on this issue. That is the intention,” Netanyahu said about 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.
“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’s latest tariff rollout could affect Israel’s machinery and medical equipment exports, an Israeli finance ministry official said on April 3.
The middle eastern country moved to dissolve its remaining tariffs on U.S. imports on April 1. Israel and the United States signed a free trade agreement 40 years ago, and roughly 98 percent of U.S. goods are now tax-free.
Recalibrating Trade Relationships
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CBS News on April 6 that the Trump administration’s strategy with the new tariffs is to recalibrate relationships with all U.S. trading partners. Vietnam, for instance, exported roughly $137 billion in products to the United States last year while maintaining a 90 percent tariff on U.S. products. Trump on April 2 placed a 46 percent tariff on the country’s products that is set to take effect on April 9.
“We need to stop the ripoff,” Lutnick said.
