Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was in Washington on Monday for high-stakes talks with United States President, Donald Trump, aiming to secure a tariff reprieve while also seeking firm backing on the ongoing conflicts involving Iran and Gaza.
Netanyahu marked a diplomatic milestone as the first international leader to meet with Trump in the U.S. capital following the dramatic “Liberation Day” tariff announcement, which sent global markets into turmoil.
His visit, coming directly after a stopover in Hungary, is primarily focused on convincing Trump to reconsider a looming 17 percent tariff on Israeli imports.
According to his office, Netanyahu held preliminary discussions with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer upon arrival.
Before leaving Budapest, Netanyahu had emphasized the urgency of the talks.
“I’m the first international leader, the first foreign leader who will meet with President Trump on a matter so crucial to Israel’s economy,” he said in a statement. “I believe this reflects the special personal relationship and the unique bond between the United States and Israel, which is so vital at this time.”
Experts say Netanyahu’s top priority is to obtain an exemption from the newly announced tariffs.
“The urgency (of the visit) makes sense in terms of stopping it before it gets institutionalised,” said Jonathan Rynhold, head of political studies at Bar-Ilan University in Tel Aviv.
Such a move, he added, would not only benefit a close U.S. ally but also “please Republicans in Congress, whose voters care about Israel, but are unwilling to confront Trump on this at this point.”
In a bid to stay ahead of the tariff news, Israel had already removed duties on the last one percent of American goods still under trade restrictions.
Despite this, Trump went ahead with the tariff decision, citing the significant trade imbalance between the two countries, despite Israel being the largest recipient of U.S. military aid.
Beyond trade, Netanyahu’s visit also focuses on regional security, especially in light of renewed violence in Gaza and tensions with Iran.
“This is also a way for Netanyahu to play the game and show Trump that Israel is going along with him,” said Hebrew University economics professor Yannay Spitzer. “I would not be surprised if there is an announcement of some concession for Israel… and this will be an example for other countries.”
According to Netanyahu’s office, his agenda includes talks on the war in Gaza, hostages still held by Hamas, and the intensifying threat from Iran.
Israel reignited military operations on March 18, following the collapse of a U.S.-brokered truce mediated with Egypt and Qatar. The latest conflict has left nearly 1,400 people dead in Gaza, as reported by the health ministry in the Hamas-run enclave.
The Israeli military states that Palestinian fighters continue to hold 58 hostages in Gaza, 34 of whom are believed to be deceased.
Meanwhile, Trump is advocating for direct negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear program. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai responded by calling Tehran’s offer for indirect talks “generous, responsible and wise.”
However, rising speculation points to a possible Israeli strike—potentially with U.S. support—on Iran’s nuclear facilities if diplomatic efforts fall short. Baghai warned that any such move would not go unanswered.
“Should the threats against Iran be realised, they would precipitate a swift, immediate and global response from Iran’s side,” he said.
