Tel Aviv – Arab Canada News

The economic and political circles in Israel expressed astonishment and deep concern following U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose a 17% tariff on Israeli imports, as part of the wide range of retaliatory tariffs announced under the policy of "reciprocal treatment."

This decision comes despite Israel announcing just one day earlier the cancellation of all remaining tariffs on U.S. imports, a move aimed at strengthening bilateral trade relations and avoiding any economic escalation from the U.S. side.

Official Discontent and Economic Concerns:

Ron Tomer, President of the Federation of Israeli Industries, stated that the U.S. move is "incomprehensible," adding that the claim of a 33% Israeli tariff on U.S. imports does not reflect the existing trade reality, describing the decision as "unjustified and a danger to the Israeli industry."

Potential Consequences

Observers are concerned that this move could lead to:

A decline in Israeli exports to the U.S. market, one of Tel Aviv's largest trading partners.

Reduced competitiveness of Israeli products in foreign markets.

A decrease in foreign investments and an increase in production costs in key sectors.

Efforts to Contain the Crisis

Sources in the Israeli Ministry of Economy stated that the government is in the process of conducting urgent consultations with the U.S. administration to request an exemption or review of the decision, in light of what they described as "the historical strategic relations" between the two countries.

Background:

This step falls within the package of tariffs announced by Trump as part of a new trade policy targeting several of the United States' traditional allies, including Canada, the European Union, Japan, and Mexico, in an attempt to reshape the trade balance in favor of Washington.