Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that Israel will eliminate tariffs on United States goods and dismantle trade barriers that he deemed unnecessary. The pledge was made during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the Oval Office, where the leaders discussed a range of economic and security matters.

“I'm a free trade champion, and free trade has to be free trade,” Netanyahu told Trump. “Israel can serve as a model for many countries who are to do the same.” He added that the changes would be implemented rapidly and praised Trump’s consistent push for reciprocal trade practices. The announcement follows Trump's decision on April 2 to impose a 17% tariff on Israeli exports to the U.S., a move that stirred tension between the two allies. However, Israel had already declared its intention to lift its duties on American products before this latest development.

In addition to trade, Netanyahu addressed regional security concerns, particularly involving Turkey’s presence in Syria. Speaking during the joint appearance with Trump, he stressed that Syria must not become a base for Turkish attacks against Israel. “We don't want to see Syria be used by anyone, including Turkey, as a base to attack Israel,” he stated firmly.

Netanyahu indicated that he and Trump discussed ways to de-escalate tensions and potentially avoid direct conflict. “We discussed how we can avoid this conflict and Trump could be a mediator on this issue,” he said, signaling hope for diplomatic engagement amid strained Israel-Turkey relations over Syria.

The meeting between the two leaders highlighted both strategic alignment and shared concerns. On the economic front, Israel's decision to remove tariffs underscores its commitment to aligning with U.S. trade policy, while on the geopolitical front, the conversation revealed mutual unease over regional instability.

As trade talks advance and Middle East tensions persist, the outcomes of the Trump-Netanyahu discussions could shape both the economic partnership between the U.S. and Israel and the broader security landscape in the region.