President Trump is scheduled to visit Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, White House officials told reports.
The meeting will take place a few days after the president announced 17% tariffs on imports from Middle Eastern countries. Netanyahu will be the first international leader to visit the White House after the president’s “liberation date” tariff announcement on US trading partners.
According to Axios, Trump called on a phone call during Netanyahu’s trip to Hungary on Thursday. Netanyahu’s office has not confirmed Monday’s meeting.
A few days before the call, Israeli leaders said all tariffs would be imposed on products from the US, Israel’s biggest trading partner.
“Canceling tariffs on American goods is an additional step in the policy that my government has led for 10 years to open up the market to competition, introduce diversity in the economy and reduce costs of living,” he wrote in a post on Tuesday on Social Platform X.
“In addition to the benefits to markets and Israeli citizens, current efforts will further strengthen the alliance and ties between Israel and the United States,” he added.
In a meeting with Trump to discuss trade relations further, Netanyahu will need to push back the planned hearing surrounding his ongoing corruption trial. Plans for Monday’s meeting could still collapse even if requests for delay are denied, according to Axios.
The reported visit comes as the Trump administration is trying to mediate a ceasefire between the country and Hamas just weeks after Israel resumed its Gaza strike.
The White House did not immediately respond to Hill’s request for comment on the issue.
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