Trump Imposes 15% Tariff on Israeli, EU Imports

In 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing a 15% tariff on imports from Israel, a slight reduction from the initially proposed 17%, set to take effect on August 7. This tariff is part of a broader tariff policy affecting 68 countries, including all EU members and several developing nations, as part of Trump's 'America First' economic agenda. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and key ministers, engaged in negotiations with the Trump administration seeking a reduced tariff due to Israel's ongoing conflict in Gaza, but these efforts only resulted in a modest decrease. The tariffs mark the highest such U.S. measure against Israel in modern trade history and come amid a $34 billion U.S. trade deficit with Israel. The Israeli Finance Ministry characterized the 15% tariff as comparatively low due to positive dialogue with the U.S. administration and continues to pursue improved trade agreements. These tariff impositions signal significant economic and diplomatic challenges for Israel and other affected countries, highlighting ongoing global trade uncertainties under the Trump administration.