Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu touched down in Washington, D.C. on Monday for a high-stakes meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump, seeking urgent economic relief and strategic support amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Becoming the first foreign leader to visit Trump since the bombshell “Liberation Day” tariffs announcement, Netanyahu aims to negotiate an exemption from a looming 17% levy on Israeli imports that threatens to strain the country’s economy.
“I’m the first foreign leader to meet President Trump on this vital matter. It reflects our enduring alliance and personal trust,” Netanyahu declared before departing Budapest.
His trip follows a stop in Hungary and is framed around three major priorities: preventing new U.S. trade tariffs on Israel, reinforcing support in the ongoing war in Gaza, and coordinating strategy on the Iranian nuclear threat.
Tariffs Threaten Israeli Trade
The Israeli leader’s top goal is to reverse or reduce Trump’s tariff order, which caught Israeli officials off guard despite their move to lift residual tariffs on U.S. goods before the announcement.
In Washington, Netanyahu first met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in an attempt to soften the blow ahead of his key sit-down with Trump.
Experts say time is of the essence:
“This is about stopping the tariffs before they become entrenched,” said Jonathan Rynhold, head of political studies at Bar-Ilan University.
Gaza War & Collapsed Ceasefire
The meeting also addresses the spiraling crisis in Gaza, where a fragile ceasefire collapsed just weeks ago. Israel has resumed airstrikes, resulting in nearly 1,400 reported deaths, while 58 hostages remain held, 34 of whom are believed to be dead.
Iran in the Crosshairs
Netanyahu will also brief Trump on Israel’s position regarding the Iranian nuclear threat, amid reports that Israel is preparing contingency plans for potential strikes on Iran’s facilities—possibly with U.S. backing.
Meanwhile, Iran warned that any attack would spark a swift and global retaliation.
“If threatened, Iran will respond immediately and decisively,” said Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghai.
With pressure mounting at home and abroad, Netanyahu’s U.S. visit could shape the next phase of both Israel’s economic future and its regional security strategy.
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