US imposes 15 percent tariff on imports from Israel

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday evening imposing a 15 percent tariff on imports from Israel and dozens of other countries, a slight reduction from the 17 percent rate initially proposed in April.

The tariffs will take effect on 7 August, following a one-week delay to allow for regulatory adjustments, according to a senior US official.

According to Ynet, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appealed for a significantly reduced tariff, citing Israel’s war on Gaza. Israeli officials believed that the final rate would be tied to Israel’s willingness to wind down the war.