Israel scraps import duties on US goods ahead of Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced today 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 Trump’s vow to impose a series of reciprocal tariffs on 2 April on what he calls “Liberation Day,” with an official announcement planned for 4 pm (local time) on Wednesday in the White House Rose Garden.

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.

Trump assured that the “permanent” tariffs on cars will be implemented this Thursday, as he announced last week.