Ground Game: Trump and Netanyahu meet as Gaza war looms, tariffs and trade

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might look to take a victory lap Monday after their recent joint strikes on Iran. But as they meet for the third time this year, the outwardly triumphant visit will be dogged by Israel’s 21-month war against Hamas in Gaza and questions over how hard Trump will push for an end to the conflict. 

Welcome to this week’s edition of AP Ground Game. 

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THE HEADLINES

President Donald Trump gestures with a raised fist after exiting Air Force One to board Marine One, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Sunday, July 6, 2025, en route to the White House after spending the weekend in New Jersey. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) 

Trump and Netanyahu meet as Gaza war looms 

Trump has made clear that, following the 12-day war between Israel and Iran, he would like to see the Gaza conflict end soon. This week’s meeting with Netanyahu could give new urgency to a U.S. ceasefire proposal being discussed by Israel and Hamas, but whether it leads to a deal that ends the war is unclear. 

Israel and Hamas appear to be inching toward an agreement that would bring about a 60-day pause in the fighting, send aid flooding into Gaza and free at least some of the remaining 50 hostages held in the territory. But a perennial sticking point is whether the ceasefire will end the war altogether.

In the days before Netanyahu’s visit, Trump seemed to downplay the chances for a breakthrough. Telling reporters on Friday he was “very optimistic,” Trump said Sunday that he thought an agreement related to the remaining hostages would be reached in the coming week. Read more. 

Of note:

Beyond Iran is Trump’s grand vision for a new Middle East, where he hopes that additional countries will join the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements normalizing relations between Arab countries and Israel brokered during Trump’s first term. Netanyahu and Trump are likely to discuss how to bring Syria into the fold, but Trump’s ultimate goal is to include regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia – whose clout could open the door for other Arab or Muslim countries to join.

Related reads ➤ 

Pressure from Trump for trade deals before Wednesday deadline 

The Trump administration is stepping up pressure on trading partners to quickly make new deals before a Wednesday deadline, with plans for the United States to start sending letters Monday warning countries that higher tariffs could kick in Aug. 1. 

That furthers the uncertainty for businesses, consumers and America’s trading partners, and questions remain about which countries will be notified, whether anything will change in the days ahead and whether Trump will once more push off imposing the rates. Trump and his top trade advisers say he could extend the time for dealmaking, but they insist the administration is applying maximum pressure on other nations. 

The steeper tariffs that Trump announced April 2 threatened to overhaul the global economy and lead to broader trade wars. A week later, after the financial markets had panicked, his administration suspended for 90 days most of the higher taxes on imports just as they were to take effect. The negotiating window until July 9 has led to announced deals only with the United Kingdom and Vietnam. 

Trump imposed elevated tariff rates on dozens of nations that run meaningful trade surpluses with the U.S., and a 10% baseline tax on imports from all countries in response to what he called an economic emergency. There are separate 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum and a 25% tariff on autos. Read more. 

Of note:

Since April, few foreign governments have set new trade terms with Washington as the Republican president demanded. On Sunday, Trump said he would send out letters to “could be 12, could be 15” foreign governments spelling out their tariff rates if they did not reach a deal. He and his advisers have declined to say which countries would receive the letters.

Related reads ➤ 

Bench trial begins over Trump deportation campaign 

A federal bench trial begins Monday over a lawsuit that challenges a Trump administration of arresting and deporting faculty and students who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations and other political activities. 

The lawsuit, filed by several university associations against Trump and members of his administration, would be one of the first to go to trial.  

Plaintiffs want a federal judge to rule that the policy violates the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act, which governs the process by which federal agencies develop and issue regulations. Several scholars are expected to testify how the policy and subsequent arrests have prompted them to abandon their activism for Palestinian human rights and criticizing Israeli government’s policies. Read more. 

Of note:

Since Trump took office, the U.S. government has used its immigration enforcement powers to crack down on international students and scholars at several American universities. Trump and other officials have accused protesters and others of being “pro-Hamas,” referring to the Palestinian militant group that attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Many protesters have said they were speaking out against Israel’s actions in the war.