Israel should not expect reduction in US import tariffs
Donald Trump, President of the US (photo: Getty Images)
The US is unlikely to reduce customs tariffs for Israel, as the country receives the most aid compared to other nations, states US President Donald Trump.
“Well, we’re talking about a whole new trade — maybe not, maybe not. Now, don’t forget we help Israel a lot. You know, we give Israel $4 billion a year. That’s a lot. Congratulations, by the way. That’s pretty good. But we give Israel billions of dollars a year. Billions. It’s one of the highest of any … we give a lot of countries money,” said the president during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office.
Trump’s statement came after Netanyahu, earlier in the Oval Office, said that his country would very quickly eliminate the trade deficit and trade barriers with the US.
Trump's trade war
Last week, Trump announced the imposition of a 17% tariff on imports from Israel as part of his broad implementation of tariffs for many countries around the world.
At the same time, the White House chief did not rule out negotiating individual agreements with specific countries to lower tariff rates.
The Treasury Department reported that around 70 countries are ready to negotiate with the US regarding tariff reductions.
