Meeting Over Tariffs

NETANYAHU: FIRST FOREIGN LEADER TO FACE TRUMP SINCE INCREASES

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Talks yesterday between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump were expected to be dominated by Washington's shock tariffs on Israel and escalating tension with Iran.

Netanyahu was the first foreign leader to meet Trump in the US capital since the president unveiled sweeping levies on multiple countries in his "Liberation Day" announcement last Wednesday.

Arriving in Washington direct from a visit to Hungary, Netanyahu's chief objective was to persuade Trump to reverse the decision, or at the very least to reduce the 17% levy set to be imposed on Israeli imports before it takes effect.

Before leaving Budapest, Netanyahu said his discussions would include a range of issues, including "the tariff regime that has also been imposed on Israel".

"I'm the first international leader, the first foreign leader who will meet President Trump on a matter so crucial to Israel's economy," he said.