US President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House in Washington. AFP
During his last visit, Netanyahu and Trump both spoke to reporters in the Oval and then held a press conference.
The Israeli Premier met Trump at the White House on Monday, becoming the first foreign leader to personally plead for a reprieve from stinging US tariffs that have shaken the world.
The Israeli premier's visit is his second to Trump since the US president returned to power and comes at short notice -- just days after Trump slapped a 17 percent tariff on Israel in his "Liberation Day" announcement last week.
Trump refused to exempt the top beneficiary of US military aid from his global tariff salvo as he said Washington had a significant trade deficit with Israel.
Netanyahu said on his way to Washington on Sunday that they would discuss "achieving victory in Gaza, and of course the tariff regime that has also been imposed on Israel."
"I'm the first international leader, the first foreign leader who will meet with President Trump on a matter so crucial to Israel's economy," he said in a video statement.
"There is a long line of leaders who want to do this. I believe this reflects the special personal relationship and the unique bond between the United States and Israel, which is so vital at this time."
Netanyahu and Trump are also set to discuss Gaza, where a short-lived truce has collapsed, and growing tensions with Iran.
Trump greeted Netanyahu outside the West Wing and pumped his fist, before the two leaders, both wearing dark suits, red ties and white shirts, went inside for a meeting in the Oval Office.
Netanyahu met with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Sunday night soon after his arrival, according to his office.
The Israeli premier also met Trump's special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff on Monday.
Trump told reporters on Sunday that "We're going to talk about trade, and we're going to talk about the obvious subject."
"There's a lot of things going on with the Middle East right now that have to be silenced," he added.
*This story was edited by Ahram Online
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