Israeli prime minister pushes to reverse US tariffs and discusses Gaza hostages, as Trump downplays prospects of concessions amid renewed tensions in the region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, aiming to address both economic and geopolitical tensions following the announcement of sweeping new American tariffs.
This marked Netanyahu’s second visit since Trump returned to the White House, and the first formal engagement by a foreign leader attempting to influence the newly imposed trade measures. Among them was a 17% tariff on Israeli exports, which the Israeli government had hoped to sidestep by scrapping its own duties on US goods days prior.
During the Oval Office meeting, Netanyahu said Israel would rapidly eliminate its trade deficit with the United States, positioning the country as a potential model for others. Trump confirmed the pair had a “great discussion” but gave no indication of any softening on tariffs. “Maybe not,” he said when asked about removing them. “We support Israel with $4 billion a year. That’s significant.”
Trump dismissed speculation about a possible 90-day freeze on the tariff plan, stating that the US was in talks with many countries and would only pursue agreements deemed fair.
In parallel, Trump confirmed that direct discussions with Iran regarding its nuclear ambitions were underway. Talks were expected to resume on Saturday, but the US president warned Iran could face “great danger” if negotiations failed. Netanyahu, while cautious, said he would welcome a diplomatic route as long as Tehran never acquires nuclear weapons.
The joint press conference planned after the meeting was abruptly cancelled, with no reason provided.
Netanyahu had announced the Washington trip only a day earlier, citing the need to discuss both trade and the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. He stated that he and Trump were working on a new proposal to secure more releases.
The visit comes amidst mounting international criticism over Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza. Since the collapse of a US-brokered ceasefire, nearly 1,400 more Palestinians have been killed, bringing the total death toll since the war began to over 50,000, according to Palestinian sources. Israel has also suspended food, fuel, and humanitarian supplies to the territory.
Netanyahu reiterated his backing for Trump’s controversial proposal to relocate Palestinians out of Gaza, a plan previously criticised as an endorsement of ethnic cleansing. He claimed Israel was committed to allowing Gazans the freedom to relocate “wherever they wish”. Simultaneously, Israel is constructing a security corridor that could permanently alter the territory’s structure.
Prior to arriving in the US, Netanyahu visited Hungary, marking his first trip to Europe since the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest over alleged war crimes. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán welcomed him and pledged to withdraw Hungary from the ICC, labelling the court as politically motivated. The US is not a signatory to the ICC.
Back home, Netanyahu continues to face pressure to negotiate a new ceasefire and bring back the remaining Israeli captives in Gaza, even as the conflict and regional tensions deepen.
