On April 7th, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his commitment to the “reciprocal tariff” policy following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump emphasized that he is not contemplating an adjustment to the current tariff strategy, contending that maintaining robust tariffs while simultaneously engaging in negotiations is a viable approach. He dismissed a recent proposal from the European Union that suggested mutual tariff exemptions, labeling it as insufficient and accusing EU leaders of previous trade deceptions.
Prime Minister Netanyahu responded to the discussions by assuring the media that Israel aims to address its trade deficit with the U.S. promptly. Current U.S. trade statistics highlight a bilateral trade volume with Israel projected to reach approximately $37 billion by 2024. The U.S. is expected to retain a trade surplus of around $7.4 billion within this framework, reflecting the complexities of international trade agreements and ongoing negotiations.