Trump and Netanyahu to Meet Amid Tariff Dispute, Gaza War/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with Donald Trump in Washington to discuss sweeping U.S. tariffs and critical geopolitical issues. Talks will cover the Gaza war, tensions with Iran, West Bank annexation, and Israel’s recent tariff concessions. The outcome may influence how other nations respond to Trump’s trade moves.
Trump, Netanyahu Meet on Tariffs, Gaza War, and Diplomacy: Quick Looks
- Netanyahu is the first foreign leader to meet Trump post-tariffs.
- Main agenda: new U.S. tariffs and Israel’s exemption prospects.
- Talks will include Gaza war, Iran tensions, and ICC investigations.
- Israel seeks to strengthen U.S. ties after lifting tariffs on U.S. goods.
- Trump may use tariffs to push for Gaza ceasefire or hostages deal.
- The leaders may discuss normalization with Saudi Arabia.
- Trump imposed 17% tariffs on Israeli imports despite prior Israeli concessions.
- Netanyahu faces ICC warrant; Trump sanctioned court in response.
- West Bank annexation also expected to be part of the discussion.
Trump and Netanyahu to Meet Amid Tariff Dispute, Gaza War
Deep Look
Trump and Netanyahu to Meet in Washington Over Tariffs, Gaza War, and Regional Security
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold high-stakes talks with President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, becoming the first foreign leader to meet the former U.S. president since he reintroduced sweeping tariffs on imports from dozens of countries.
The visit, hastily arranged by both sides, is focused primarily on the impact of Trump’s new tariff regime, which has sent shockwaves through global trade. Netanyahu hopes to secure an exemption or reduction in the 17% tariff imposed on Israeli imports last week. While the outcome remains uncertain, the meeting is widely viewed as a bellwether for how other world leaders will seek to negotiate their own trade relief under Trump’s evolving economic policies.
The Israeli leader’s office has publicly framed the visit around tariffs but acknowledged that broader regional concerns will also be on the table. These include the ongoing war in Gaza, growing tensions with Iran, Israel’s strained ties with Turkey, and the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu last year over alleged war crimes. In February, Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the ICC for its investigations into Israeli military conduct.
Netanyahu’s agenda also includes discussions on Israel’s aspirations to annex parts of the occupied West Bank — territory Palestinians hope to use as the basis for an independent state. This sensitive topic could test the limits of Trump’s support as he seeks to balance domestic political goals with his foreign policy ambitions.
Eytan Gilboa, a scholar specializing in U.S.-Israel relations, said Trump may use the tariffs as leverage to extract non-economic concessions from Netanyahu. One potential demand: progress toward ending the Gaza war, at least temporarily, through a ceasefire agreement with Hamas that could facilitate the release of hostages and allow humanitarian aid to flow more freely.
Trump is also eyeing a broader regional prize. His first foreign trip since returning to office is expected to take him to Saudi Arabia next month. According to Gilboa, Trump hopes to use the Saudi visit to advance a normalization agreement between Israel and the kingdom — a move that would represent a major diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East and potentially help counter Iranian influence.
“If Trump can return from Riyadh with progress on normalization, it would serve as a strategic counterweight to Iran and reinforce U.S. dominance in the region,” Gilboa said.
In a proactive move last week, Israel announced it would eliminate tariffs on all U.S. goods, particularly food and agricultural products. Netanyahu’s office presented the step as a goodwill gesture to strengthen economic ties with Washington. However, the decision failed to shield Israel from Trump’s broad tariff policy, and the country was included among dozens hit with new import taxes during what Trump has branded “Liberation Day.”
Despite their strong historical alliance, Israel is not among the United States’ largest trading partners. Still, Netanyahu’s government sees strategic value in reinforcing that bond amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.
The coming days will reveal whether Netanyahu can secure a reprieve from the new U.S. tariffs — and what political or military concessions may be required in return. For Trump, the meeting offers an opportunity to showcase his global leadership while signaling how he plans to use economic pressure to pursue broader foreign policy objectives.
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