Economy and Industry Minister Eli Cohen has asked U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthize to exempt Israel from new trade tariffs on steel imports to the United States.
According to the financial daily Globes, Cohen said that while Israeli metal exports to the U.S. are marginal, amounting to $25 million annually, tariffs on Israeli metals would have a significant impact on small and medium-sized Israeli manufacturers.
Israeli Manufacturers Association President Shraga Brosh has spoken with Jewish community leaders in the U.S. about the issue in an effort to reverse what he called the "unilateral" step of imposing tariffs on Israel, which he said could harm trade between the two countries.
Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an order imposing a 25% tariff on steel and a 10% tariff on aluminum in a move aimed largely at protecting American industries from massive imports from China. The tariffs are due to take effect in May.
Several U.S. allies have already been granted exemptions from the order, among them Canada, Mexico, Brazil, South Korea, Argentina, Australia and the European Union.
