Netanyahu to travel to Washington on Monday, to discuss tariffs with Trump

(Patria) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit Washington to discuss tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, among other issues, his office announced on Saturday, Reuters reported.

Four Israeli officials and a White House official earlier said Netanyahu was expected to meet with Trump on Monday. The improvised in-person visit could be the first attempt by a foreign leader to negotiate with Trump on lifting tariffs.

Netanyahu's office said in a statement that the prime minister, who is visiting Hungary, would travel to Washington on Sunday.

The meeting will also cover Israel-Turkey relations, Iran, Israel's efforts to free hostages in Gaza, and Israel's fight against the International Criminal Court (ICC), the statement said.

The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over responsibility for war crimes in Gaza. Trump made a surprise phone call to Netanyahu on Thursday, during which the Israeli leader raised the issue of tariffs, according to Israeli officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

As part of a comprehensive new tariff policy announced by Trump, Israeli goods face U.S. tariffs of seventeen percent. The United States is Israel's closest ally and largest single trading partner.

An Israeli finance ministry official said on Thursday that Trump's latest tariff announcement could affect Israeli exports of machinery and medical equipment.

Israel had already removed remaining tariffs on U.S. imports on Tuesday. The two countries signed a free trade agreement forty years ago, and about 98% of goods from the U.S. are now duty-free.