Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is slated to visit the White House on Monday to discuss recently announced U.S. tariffs with President Donald Trump, according to Israeli officials. The meeting would mark Netanyahu’s fourth trip to Washington since the onset of the Gaza war and his second since Trump’s inauguration in January.
The visit positions Netanyahu as the first foreign leader to engage Trump face-to-face on the U.S. president’s bold new tariff policy, which imposes a 17% levy on Israeli goods among other international imports. Three Israeli officials, speaking anonymously to Reuters, confirmed the trip, though Netanyahu’s office has yet to officially announce it. The invitation reportedly came during a Thursday phone call from Trump while Netanyahu was in Hungary, where the Israeli leader raised concerns about the tariffs.
Axios, which first broke the story, reported that the talks are also expected to cover the ongoing war in Gaza and the Iran nuclear issue. However, the exact timing of the visit remains fluid. Netanyahu may need to request a postponement of his scheduled testimony this week in his ongoing corruption trial, a detail echoed by Israel’s Channel 12 and Kan public broadcaster, citing an official who noted that Monday’s meeting is not yet set in stone.
Meanwhile, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce revealed Friday that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had spoken with Netanyahu to reaffirm U.S. support for Israel. Their discussion touched on the Gaza conflict, efforts to free hostages, and the new tariffs. Rubio’s call came as Trump has reportedly been negotiating trade deals with Israel, India, and Vietnam to mitigate the impact of the tariffs—set to take effect next week—according to CNN, citing a senior adviser.
Trump hinted at the visit on Thursday aboard Air Force One, telling reporters that Netanyahu “may very well be coming next week.” He also expressed a desire to “solve the Gaza problem” and pursue direct talks with Iran over its nuclear program. However, Axios reported that Netanyahu remains skeptical of a new U.S.-Iran nuclear deal and intends to discuss the possibility of a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, per a senior Israeli official.
The announcement of the potential visit caught both Netanyahu’s team and some of Trump’s staff off guard, Axios noted. Earlier that day, Trump had spoken with Netanyahu and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban during Netanyahu’s Budapest visit. According to Netanyahu’s office, the call with Orban focused on Hungary’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) and next steps following the ICC’s November arrest warrants against Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s office declined to comment on the Rubio call or trade negotiations, and the White House has not confirmed the Monday meeting. As the situation develops, the visit underscores the deepening ties between the two leaders amid complex regional and economic challenges.
Key Points: Netanyahu’s Planned White House Visit
- Date and Purpose: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, April 7, 2025, to discuss recently announced U.S. tariffs, including a 17% levy on Israeli goods.
- Context: This would be Netanyahu’s fourth Washington trip since the Gaza war began and his second since Trump’s January 2025 inauguration, making him the first foreign leader to negotiate Trump’s new tariff policy in person.
- Origin of Visit: The invitation came during a Thursday phone call from Trump while Netanyahu was in Hungary, where he raised concerns about the tariffs, according to Israeli officials.
- Additional Topics: The meeting may also address the Gaza war and Iran’s nuclear program, with Netanyahu reportedly skeptical of a new U.S.-Iran deal and interested in discussing a potential strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
- Uncertainty: The visit’s timing could shift, as Netanyahu may need to delay his corruption trial testimony scheduled for this week; details remain unconfirmed by his office.
- U.S. Support: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently spoke with Netanyahu, reaffirming support for Israel and discussing Gaza, hostages, and tariffs.
- Trade Talks: Trump has been negotiating with Israel, India, and Vietnam to ease tariff impacts before they take effect next week.
- Surprise Element: Trump’s public mention of the visit caught Netanyahu’s team and some of Trump’s staff off guard.
- Hungary Context: During Netanyahu’s Budapest visit, he discussed Hungary’s ICC withdrawal with Prime Minister Viktor Orban, following ICC warrants against him and Yoav Gallant for alleged Gaza war crimes.
