Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington on Monday to meet with Donald Trump, where he is expected to seek relief from U.S. tariffs and gain further support on issues related to Iran and Gaza. Netanyahu became the first foreign leader to meet Trump in the U.S. capital since the announcement of tariffs, which caused global market turmoil.
One of Netanyahu’s primary goals was to persuade Trump to either reverse or reduce the 17% tariff set to be imposed on Israeli imports. Upon arrival, Netanyahu met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
Before departing from Budapest, Netanyahu stated that his discussions would cover a wide range of topics, including the tariff regime impacting Israel’s economy. He emphasized that his visit reflected the unique relationship between the U.S. and Israel.
Analysts suggest Netanyahu’s visit is critical to securing an exemption from the tariffs, with one expert noting that such an exemption would benefit both Israel and Trump’s political base. Israel had already attempted to avoid the levy by lifting duties on U.S. goods, but Trump did not exempt Israel, citing a significant trade deficit.
In addition to tariff discussions, Netanyahu’s visit also focused on the ongoing war in Gaza, following the collapse of a brief truce mediated by the U.S. He is expected to address the Israeli hostages still held in Gaza and the growing threat from Iran.
The war, which escalated after Hamas’s October 2023 attack, has seen more casualties as Israel resumed intense strikes on Gaza in March 2025. The ceasefire brokered by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar failed, and Israeli operations continue with significant losses on both sides.
Netanyahu is also expected to discuss Iran, with Trump pushing for direct talks on Iran’s nuclear program. Meanwhile, Iran has stated that it is ready for indirect talks and warned of a swift global response if attacked.