US President surprises Israeli officials by announcing Iran talks, withholding tariff relief, and commending Erdogan, who has defended Hamas.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu anticipated a smooth overseas trip ahead of Passover. His first stop was Budapest, where he was welcomed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a vocal supporter of Israel. The visit was expected to be low-stress and symbolic—highlighting Hungary’s willingness to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) and offering Netanyahu a chance to move freely in Europe without legal concerns. He even planned a relaxing weekend with his wife at the Four Seasons.
Before departing, Netanyahu’s government attempted to preempt Donald Trump’s rumored tariffs by eliminating all import duties on U.S. goods. But the strategy failed. Just as Netanyahu boarded his flight, Trump announced a 17% tariff on Israeli products.
Despite the setback, Netanyahu received a grand welcome in Hungary, complete with full ceremonial honors. After Hungary formally pulled support from the ICC, Netanyahu and Orban held a joint call with Trump. During the call, Trump urged Netanyahu to come to Washington—seemingly to patch things up over trade.
Confident he could turn the situation around, Netanyahu prepared for a successful White House meeting. But things didn’t go as planned.
In what became a triple blow, Trump blindsided Netanyahu by announcing high-level talks with Iran to discuss its nuclear program—news that caught the Israeli delegation off guard. It raised questions about Trump’s true motivation for the sudden invitation.
Next, hopes of reversing the tariffs quickly faded. Despite a seemingly positive meeting with U.S. trade officials the night before, Trump refused to commit to easing tariffs during their Oval Office appearance. Instead, he highlighted U.S. military aid to Israel, even sarcastically congratulating Netanyahu on securing $4 billion annually.
Finally, Trump openly praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan—an outspoken critic of Israel—just days after Erdogan called for the destruction of the Jewish state. Trump called Erdogan “very smart” and even applauded his role in Syria, signaling no intention of aligning with Netanyahu on this front either.
The encounter revealed that even Netanyahu, a master of political maneuvering, couldn’t sway Trump on key issues. While he may remain one of the better-connected world leaders to Trump, charm and shared grievances about the “deep state” aren’t enough.
Netanyahu returned to Israel with no resolution on tariffs, no influence over U.S.-Iran talks, and no leverage on Turkey. Instead of scoring a diplomatic win, he struck out on all three fronts—returning home to a corruption trial, protests, and ongoing scandal.
Leave a Reply