Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President Trump in Washington to discuss the 17 percent tariff imposed on Israeli goods as part of a global tax plan. The meeting also covered the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the return of hostages, Israel-Turkey relations, the Iranian threat, and the International Criminal Court.
The tariffs are expected to significantly impact Israeli exports, potentially costing billions of dollars and thousands of jobs. Israel had attempted to prevent the tariffs before their implementation. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick justified the tariffs, framing America's trade deficit as a national security issue.
The conflict in Gaza and the ongoing hostage situation were also central to the discussions. Hamas still holds 59 hostages, and some relatives urged President Trump to pressure Netanyahu to end hostilities.
Other topics included Israel-Turkey relations, the Iranian threat, and the International Criminal Court. The meeting followed a call between Trump, Netanyahu, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, after Hungary's withdrawal from the ICC. President Trump emphasized the importance of the US-Israel relationship.