President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in the Oval Office on Monday, engaging in discussions that spanned trade, nuclear negotiations with Iran, and the ongoing situation in Gaza. The meeting comes amid significant economic developments and heightened geopolitical tensions.
A focal point of the discussion was Trump's recently announced sweeping tariffs on U.S. trading partners, including a 17% levy on Israel. Defending his decision, Trump stated it was "an honor" to impose the tariffs and signaled no intention to pause them. He believes these measures will encourage fairer trade deals, despite widespread criticism from economists who warn of potential economic harm and a global recession. "We have an opportunity to change the fabric of our country. We have an opportunity to reset the table on trade," Trump asserted.
In response, Netanyahu pledged to "very quickly" eliminate the trade deficit with the U.S. and remove existing trade barriers. "We are going to eliminate the tariffs and rapidly," he stated, suggesting this could serve as a model for other nations. While Trump did not offer to immediately remove the 17% tariff on Israel, he reminded reporters of the significant financial aid the U.S. provides to Israel annually.
The discussion also turned to Iran, with Trump announcing imminent direct talks with Iranian officials "at almost the highest level" scheduled for Saturday. The primary focus of these talks will be Iran's nuclear program. When questioned about potential military action if negotiations fail, Trump did not rule it out, warning that Iran would face "great danger" if it pursues nuclear weapons. "If the talks aren't successful, I actually think it will be a very bad day for Iran if that's the case," Trump said.
On the subject of Gaza, Trump reiterated his past interest in acquiring the Gaza Strip, describing it as an "incredible piece of important real estate." He suggested relocating Palestinians to other countries willing to accept them, creating a "freedom zone" in Gaza.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to securing the release of hostages held in Gaza and exploring the possibility of a new ceasefire. "We are trying very hard to get the hostages out. We're looking at another ceasefire. We'll see what happens," Trump said, praising Netanyahu's efforts on the matter.
The meeting highlights the complex and intertwined nature of U.S.-Israeli relations, particularly in the face of global economic uncertainty and escalating regional tensions. The outcomes of the upcoming talks with Iran and the future of trade relations between the U.S. and Israel will be closely watched by the international community.