Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the first international leader to meet with President Trump following announcement of the new Trump Tariffs policy, while discussing 17% tariff on Israeli good by the US Netanyahu addresses other critical issues in their meeting.
In BBC, Netanyahu stated that this shows their “personal connection and the connection between our countries that is so essential in this time”.
Let’s look what other leaders response to the tariffs announced by Trump
China and Canada have announced retaliation measures. China is hit hardest by the Trump Tariffs and retaliate with higher tariffs on US goods.
Many other countries are trying to negotiate such as Taiwan (President Lai Ching-te and Indonesia (chief economic minister Airlangga Hartarto) said they won’t hit back, Israeli’s Benjamin Netanyahu is arrived in Washington, DC to talk about tariffs and other topics.
UK prime minister Keir Starmer shows that he’s ready for “shelter British business from the storm” as using their industrial policy.
Others are facing that 10% tariff universal tariff that is expected to impact minimal on economy.
$22 billion in annual Israeli exports are impacted
From 10% to 17% tariff on annually Israeli exports in the US, including products like diamond, medicine, and electronics which are the key. Still Israel response in supportive manner to the Trump Tariffs showing their “friendship” and even eliminated the tariffs on US agricultural imports. Israel aim to strengthen economic ties and potentially secure exemption from the new tariff.
Beyond Trade issues
Netanyahu and Trump scheduled to meet in Washington, DC on Sunday to discuss 17% tariff but its not just that, Netanyahu wants to discuss other topics such as
- the situation of Israeli hostages in Gaza,
- Israel-Turkey relations – Israel and Turkey have rocky relation over a decade since 2010 Gaza flotilla raid, Israeli commandos killed Turkish activist, then recent Gaza war and Israeli operations in Rafah. Trump’s mediation might stabilize the relation between them.
- concerns regarding Iran, as Iran is big threat to Israel as of recent concern reason Iran accelerated uranium enrichment. Netanyahu probably seek stronger allies like US for convert and diplomatic action and reaffirm Trump’s stance on putting pressure against Tehran.
- actions related to the International Criminal Court’s war-crimes case targeting Israeli leadership ICC investigating war crimes while Israel is not signatory of Rome Statute and rejects ICC jurisdiction but eventually it has jurisdiction because Palestine is a member state.
Read also: Anti-Trump Protests
Why Netanyahu and Trump strengthen ties amid current global economic tensions
Reports says that if ICC starts their process and ruled over them then Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, could face potential arrest warrants.
In 2020 Trump re-impose sanctions on the ICC, Netanyahu seek Trump’s backing to pressure allies and ICC proceeding may led to ignore illegitimate act.
Conclusion
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visit Trump to talk about Trump Tariffs policy and other critical matter, particularly to strengthen the ties between both the leaders to ease the ICC proceeding and pressurize his enemies. More than 50 countries reaching out to Trump for negotiation except China and Canada they will retaliate on Trump Tariffs. Israel, in response, remove tariffs from US imports seems as both strengthen ties.
