JERUSALEM, April 3 (Xinhua) -- The Manufacturers Association of Israel (MAI) on Thursday criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose a 17-percent tariff on Israeli imports, calling it a concerning move for the country's exporters.

Trump announced the new measures at the White House on Wednesday, introducing what he termed "reciprocal tariffs" on U.S. trading partners.

On Tuesday, Israel lifted all tariffs on U.S. goods and services, but the move did not prevent Washington from imposing new duties on Israeli exports.

MAI said it was surprising that the chart presented by Trump indicated Israel imposes a 33-percent tariff on American goods, a figure that formed the basis for the U.S. decision to introduce a 17 percent counter-tariff. The association argued that 99 percent of U.S. goods entering Israel were already exempt from tariffs prior to the policy shift.

"The U.S. president's decision to impose tariffs on Israel could undermine economic stability, discourage foreign investment, and weaken the competitiveness of Israeli firms in the American market," MAI said in a statement.

The association warned that the move could threaten jobs in Israel and reduce economic activity in the U.S. market. It described the tariffs as a setback for trade and investment ties and expressed hope that the measure would be short-lived.

MAI said it would work with Israel's finance and economy ministries to reverse the decision.

The group added that it would explore alternative strategies, seek new export markets, and engage with U.S. policymakers to minimize the impact of the tariffs.

"At the same time, we will assist Israeli businesses in adjusting to the new trade environment and developing tools to navigate the expected economic challenges," the statement said.

The United States and Israel signed a free trade agreement in 1985, the first such deal for Washington.

Bilateral goods trade between the two nations reached an estimated 37 billion U.S. dollars in 2024. U.S. exports to Israel totaled 14.8 billion, while imports from Israel reached 22.2 billion dollars, according to data from the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Enditem

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