Trump meets Netanyahu as White House abruptly cancels press conference amid tariff tensions
Shreedhar Rathi | Apr 08, 2025, 00:00 IST
( Image credit : AP )
President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu met amidst escalating trade tensions as new U.S. tariffs targeting Israel loom, unsettling global markets. The White House abruptly canceled a press conference, fueling speculation about the meeting's tone. Netanyahu seeks tariff relief, citing the ongoing conflict in Gaza, while Trump defends the tariffs as a necessary reset for global trade.
President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday as new U.S. tariffs targeting Israel and other nations prepare to take effect, further shaking already turbulent global markets.
In an unexpected move, the White House canceled a scheduled press conference with the two leaders just hours before it was set to begin, offering no official explanation. Reporters were still allowed brief access to the Oval Office meeting, though the cancellation fueled speculation over the tone and outcome of the talks.
The conversation between Trump and Netanyahu comes at a critical moment, as Israel prepares for the impact of a 17% tariff on its exports to the United States, part of the sweeping new trade policy Trump announced last week. The tariffs are set to begin Wednesday.
“This is a tough but necessary reset,” Trump said in a brief comment before the meeting. “We are treating every country equally. That includes our allies. No more free passes.”
Wall Street responded with more volatility. The Nasdaq, S&P 500, and Dow Jones all swung wildly on Monday following last week’s dramatic two-day slide—the steepest since March 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Markets remain rattled by Trump’s aggressive tariff push, which aims to level what he calls "unfair global trade practices" that have hurt American manufacturing.
Netanyahu, who is facing growing pressure at home due to the resumption of Israeli military operations in Gaza, is hoping to convince Trump to reconsider the tariffs.
“We are in the middle of a war. These tariffs could not come at a worse time,” Netanyahu reportedly told aides before departing Tel Aviv. “We’ve always been aligned with the U.S., and I intend to make our case clearly.”
This marks Netanyahu’s second visit to the White House since Trump returned to office in January. Since their last meeting in February, the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has collapsed, and Israeli forces have renewed their offensive in the Gaza Strip. Hostage negotiations with Hamas remain unresolved.
Trump's decision to target allies with tariffs has also sparked international backlash. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was blunt in his response, declaring, “The old U.S.-Canada relationship is over. We will now need to dramatically reduce our reliance on the United States.”
The White House has yet to clarify whether exemptions or trade negotiations will be offered to allies like Israel or Canada.
For now, Trump appears unmoved.
“The days of America footing the bill for global trade imbalances are over,” the president said on Truth Social. “Every nation must pull its weight.”
As the world watches closely, Monday's meeting could prove pivotal in determining whether the U.S.-Israel alliance will weather this latest economic strain—or emerge newly tested in an era of transactional diplomacy.
In an unexpected move, the White House canceled a scheduled press conference with the two leaders just hours before it was set to begin, offering no official explanation. Reporters were still allowed brief access to the Oval Office meeting, though the cancellation fueled speculation over the tone and outcome of the talks.
The conversation between Trump and Netanyahu comes at a critical moment, as Israel prepares for the impact of a 17% tariff on its exports to the United States, part of the sweeping new trade policy Trump announced last week. The tariffs are set to begin Wednesday.
“This is a tough but necessary reset,” Trump said in a brief comment before the meeting. “We are treating every country equally. That includes our allies. No more free passes.”
Market Turmoil Amid Trade Shake-Up
Markets remain rattled by Trump’s aggressive tariff push, which aims to level what he calls "unfair global trade practices" that have hurt American manufacturing.
Netanyahu Seeks Tariff Relief Amid Conflict
“We are in the middle of a war. These tariffs could not come at a worse time,” Netanyahu reportedly told aides before departing Tel Aviv. “We’ve always been aligned with the U.S., and I intend to make our case clearly.”
This marks Netanyahu’s second visit to the White House since Trump returned to office in January. Since their last meeting in February, the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has collapsed, and Israeli forces have renewed their offensive in the Gaza Strip. Hostage negotiations with Hamas remain unresolved.
Straining Ties with Allies
The White House has yet to clarify whether exemptions or trade negotiations will be offered to allies like Israel or Canada.
For now, Trump appears unmoved.
“The days of America footing the bill for global trade imbalances are over,” the president said on Truth Social. “Every nation must pull its weight.”
As the world watches closely, Monday's meeting could prove pivotal in determining whether the U.S.-Israel alliance will weather this latest economic strain—or emerge newly tested in an era of transactional diplomacy.