Trump Slaps 15% Tariff on Israel in Shocking Midnight Move
Just hours before his trade deadline, Trump imposes a 15% tariff on Israeli exports, signaling that not even close allies are safe from his economic offensive.
TwitterU.S. President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders imposing wide-ranging tariffs on dozens of countries, including a 15% tariff on Israeli exports to the United States, the highest such measure against Israel in modern U.S.-Israel trade history.
The announcement, made just hours before the expiration of a self-imposed trade negotiation deadline, marks a critical moment in Trump’s revived “America First” economic agenda. While the tariff on Israeli goods is slightly lower than the originally proposed 17% floated in April, it nonetheless represents a significant blow to the Israeli economy, particularly as the country remains entangled in a prolonged military campaign in Gaza.
Israeli officials had hoped to negotiate a lower rate, with senior figures including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Economy Minister Nir Barkat, and National Economic Council head Prof. Avi Simhon lobbying Washington for leniency. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also held direct talks with Trump in recent months, seeking an exemption or reduced rate due to Israel’s wartime status. Those efforts appear to have only partially succeeded.
Global Tariff Blitz
Israel is far from alone. Trump’s administration unveiled a sweeping list of tariff rates late Thursday night, ranging from 10% to 41%, affecting countries across every continent.
Among the most notable:
Several developing nations, including Afghanistan, Bolivia, Jordan, Ghana, and Côte d'Ivoire, were also placed under new 15% tariffs. Trump additionally imposed:
China Still in Play
Conspicuously absent from the latest announcement was China. The world's second-largest economy has not yet finalized a trade deal with the U.S., though temporary arrangements are in place. Tariffs on Chinese imports currently stand at a reduced 30% rate following a series of retaliatory escalations that once peaked at 145%.
Negotiations between Washington and Beijing remain ongoing, with no long-term framework in place. Trump has signaled that any extension of the current arrangement would require his personal approval.
Australia On Edge
Australia, which currently enjoys a low 10% tariff due to a trade deficit with the U.S., was not named in the new executive orders. However, trade experts warn that any future hike in the base tariff rate to 15%–20% could affect Australian exports. Despite the uncertainty, Canberra has avoided high-profile negotiations, relying on its existing free trade agreement.
Implications for Israel
The 15% tariff on Israeli exports could impact sectors including defense technology, medical devices, and agriculture. The move comes at a sensitive moment for the Netanyahu government, which had hoped its close relationship with Trump would shield it from the broader trade blitz.
For now, Trump’s message is clear: No ally is exempt when it comes to rebalancing global trade in America’s favor.