For all of their political similarities – imperiousness, indifference, more than occasional impunity – Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu’s canniest shared superpower is their ability to manipulate their public narratives. Case in point: Netanyahu’s sudden visit to Washington this week, which comes as both he and Trump battle the near-term uproar over their long-term political agendas.
The official reason for Netanyahu’s visit, it seems, is to discuss Trump’s new tariff edict – slated to place a 17 per cent levy on Israeli goods when it goes into effect next week. Despite the sizeable figure – which is certainly worth a challenge – the visit feels contrived. Far more economically important nations will be hit far harder by Trump’s tariff bombshell, yet he chose Israel as the first country to talk specifics.
Israel has already demonstrated flexibility on the tariffs front, scrapping its own levies against American products in the run-up to Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’. The move, while appearing strategic and offensive, has ultimately been revealed as a dud. Israel
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