Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to visit the United States next week for high-level talks with President Donald Trump, following Israel’s recent 12-day war with Iran, which Netanyahu described as a “great victory.”
The visit, confirmed in a statement ahead of a cabinet meeting, will include discussions with senior U.S. officials such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Netanyahu also plans to meet members of Congress and the Senate to discuss trade and security matters.
A major focus of the trip will be finalizing a trade agreement, as the U.S. prepares to raise tariff rates on imported goods. Netanyahu said some issues still need resolving before a deal is reached. Trump had earlier announced that temporary tariffs, currently at 10%, could jump to as high as 50% starting July 9, affecting trade with several countries, including Israel.
The United States had initially imposed a 17% tariff on Israeli goods, which Israel hopes to reduce or remove during upcoming negotiations. Netanyahu’s push for a deal comes at a crucial time for Israel’s economy and U.S.-Israel relations.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s planned U.S. trip comes just as an Israeli court postponed a scheduled appearance in his ongoing graft trial, adding political weight to an already critical visit.