Benjamin Netanyahu to meet Donald Trump at White House; what's on the agenda?

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet US President Donald Trump on Monday amid escalating Gaza tensions and imposition of tariffs.

 

Trump has imposed 17 per cent tariffs on Israeli imported goods.

 

This would be Netanyahu's second meeting with Trump at the White House since he took office in January.

 

Both the leaders are likely to discuss the latest tariffs imposed, Gaza ceasefire and Iran's nuclear program.

 

His visit also comes at a time when Netanyahu is facing the heat of the legal proceedings against him in Israel. Due to his Washington visit, the PM's office asked the Jerusalem District Court to postpone his expected appearances on Monday and Wednesday.

 

What's on the agenda list?

 

A statement issued by the Netanyahu's office said that, "tariffs, efforts to release our hostages held in Gaza, Israel-Turkey relations, the Iranian threat and the battle against the International Criminal Court in The Hague" are on the list of discussions.

 

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu alleging responsibility for war crimes in Gaza.

 

Also, being one of the closest ally, Israel was taken by surprise when Trump included the country on a list of nations hit with higher tariffs in exports to the US. Interestingly, it came a day after Israel's finance minister announced the removal of all tariffs on US products. Though Israel jumped the gun to secure itself from the imposition of new US tariffs, it failed to work in favour for them.

 

Trump said that the US has a significant trade deficit with its ally. Both countries signed a free trade agreement 40 years ago and about 98 per cent of the goods from the US are now tax-free.

 

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich pointed out that the imposition of tariffs could impact hit its machinery and medical equipment exports to the US.

 

Meanwhile, Trump's 'baseline' tariff paid by the US importers has already taken effect at US seaports, airports and custom warehouses.

 

Reportedly, during Netanyahu's recent visit to Budapest, he and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán spoke with Trump over phone call. Netanyahu's Washington visit was planned after the phone call.

 

Israel-Turkey relations

 

Another matter of discussion would be the relations with Turkey after the fall of the Assad regime in December last year. Israeli leaders have warned against Turkish support for militant groups operating in Syrian border regions.

 

Amid rising tensions, Israel struck Syrian military sites in Homs, Damascus and Hama last week. Reportedly, Turkey is planning to deploy forces at the T4 airbase and Palmyra military airport in Syria's Homs province.

Middle East