MWE Correspondent
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to visit Washington, D.C., on Monday to hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Their discussions will focus on a broad range of issues, including trade tariffs, regional security threats, and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
According to Netanyahu’s office, the agenda includes strengthening Israel–Turkey relations, addressing concerns about the “Iranian threat,” tackling trade barriers between the two countries, opposing the International Criminal Court (ICC), and seeking progress on the Gaza ceasefire. The announcement followed a recent phone call between the two leaders during which Netanyahu raised the issue of U.S. tariffs.
Israel currently faces a 17-percent tariff on some exports under the U.S. “reciprocal tariffs” policy, prompting Israel to eliminate remaining tariffs on American goods in an effort to ease trade tensions. The two nations have maintained a free trade agreement for over 40 years, allowing nearly 98 percent of U.S. goods to enter Israel duty-free, demonstrating the strength of their economic partnership.
Also Read; Duterte Faces ICC Arrest Warrant Threat
Netanyahu’s visit coincides with his ongoing European tour, which included a stop in Hungary. The Hungarian government recently announced its withdrawal from the ICC, a move widely viewed as a show of support for Netanyahu. This development came after the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu concerning alleged war crimes related to Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The United States, notably, is not a member of the ICC.
A major focus of the talks will be the fragile situation in Gaza, where Israel resumed military operations last month, breaking a short-lived truce with the Palestinian group Hamas. The leaders will also discuss efforts to secure the release of Israeli captives held by Palestinian factions.
Additionally, President Trump is pressing Iran to engage in negotiations over its nuclear program. Iran has expressed willingness to participate in indirect talks. For years, Western nations led by the U.S. have accused Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons development, accusations Iran denies, asserting its nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful civilian purposes. For context, see Iran nuclear program.
