WORLD

Israel scraps import duties on US goods

Wednesday, 02 Apr, 2025
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu with US President Donald Trump during his visit to Washington this year. (Photo courtesy: The White House)

Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the cancellation of all customs duties on products imported from the United States. Netanyahu, in a post on the social media platform 'X', highlighted the decade-long policy behind this decision, stating, "Cancelling the customs duties on American goods is an additional step in the policy that my government has led for a decade in opening up the market to competition, introducing variety to the economy and lowering the cost of living."

Netanyahu also stressed the impact of this move on Israel's alliance with the United States. "In addition to the advantages to the market and to citizens of Israel, the current effort will allow us to further strengthen the alliance and ties between Israel and the US. We will continue to work to reduce barriers and customs, and bolster our special relationship with the US," Netanyahu added.

Netanyahu's decision comes ahead of US President Donald Trump's vow to impose a series of reciprocal tariffs on April 2 on what he calls "Liberation Day". The reciprocal tariffs are part of a series of import levies that President Trump has imposed since taking office on January 20. It includes high tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, sector-specific tariffs on metals, and, more recently, on imported automobiles.