Trump doubts tariff cuts for Israel, even as Netanyahu promises rapid trade fix

US President Donald Trump on April 7 suggested that the United States might not reduce tariffs on Israeli goods. 

This came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to swiftly eliminate trade barriers between the two allies, Caliber.Az reports via American media.

Sitting alongside Netanyahu in the Oval Office, Trump remarked: “Well, we’re talking about a whole new trade — maybe not, maybe not. Now, don’t forget we help Israel a lot. You know, we give Israel $4 billion a year. That’s a lot. Congratulations, by the way. That’s pretty good. But we give Israel billions of dollars a year. Billions. It’s one of the highest of any … we give a lot of countries money."

Trump’s comments came just days after he announced a sweeping overhaul of global trade policy, including a 17% tariff on Israeli goods. The move surprised many, particularly as Israel had removed tariffs on US imports just a day before Trump's announcement.

Despite Trump’s hesitation on reducing tariffs, Netanyahu appeared optimistic.

“We’re going to eliminate the tariffs and rapidly,” the Israeli leader said, promising quick action to end what he called “unnecessary” trade barriers.

“We’re going to eliminate the trade deficit and trade barriers with the US very quickly,” he added.

Israel currently imposes tariffs on very few US products; the majority face no tariffs at all. Still, Trump made no mention of rolling back the new 17% levy on Israeli exports in his on-camera remarks at the White House.

Netanyahu said he hoped Israel’s approach would set a precedent: “We hope to be a model for other countries to do the same,” he noted.

By Tamilla Hasanova