Washington
US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Indian time) announced a reciperoot tariff against countries around the world. Trump’s tariff attack has occurred on 100 countries including India, China and Pakistan. Israel could not survive Trump’s tariff war. The US government has imposed a 17 percent tariff on Israeli products. When Trump announced the tariff, the Benjamin Netanyahu government of Israel was fully convinced that he would not be imposed any fee, but it did not happen! Israeli officials say we are shocked by Trump’s announcement. Israel also cited the US and its 40 -year -old free trade in the statement.
The Israeli officials have come into the can be due to the decision to put tariffs on Israel. Israel says that it had abolished all tariffs on American goods, yet the US imposed tariffs. Israeli Media i24News quoted Israeli officials as saying, “We were surprised. We were confident that our decision to abolish all import duty on American goods would prevent this step. But it did not happen.”
Israel recently announced the abolition of the remaining tariff on US imports. The decision was waiting for the final approval from the Economy Minister Nir Barkat and the Finance Committee of Parliament, but its approval was expected. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the tariff on all goods imported from the US will be abolished as soon as the approval is received.
Israeli-America Trade Relations
The US is Israeli’s largest business partner and important ally. In 2024, trade between the two countries was $ 34 billion. Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a joint statement with Economy Minister Barkat and Finance Minister Bezallal Smotrich that removing tariffs on American goods will increase competition in the Israeli market, strengthen the economy and reduce the cost of living. Netanyahu described it as beneficial for Israeli citizens and economy and said that this would further strengthen America and Israel’s relations.
40 years old free trade agreement
A free trade agreement was signed between Israel and America 40 years ago. Currently, about 98% of American goods are already not taxed. According to the Israeli Finance Ministry, tariffs on imports from the US have an income of about 42 million shekels ($ 11.3 million) every year, which is mainly associated with the agricultural sector. Now despite this move of Israel, the decision by the Trump administration to impose tariffs will be seen to be seen.
