Shayndi Raice
Appearances
WSJ What’s News
Trump Kicks Off Mideast Trip Built Around Deals
So I think that there is a real disconnect right now between what the United States is trying to accomplish in the region and what Israel would like to accomplish in the region. Israel would like a stronger hand at setting back Iran, its nuclear program, and also its ability to support proxies like the Houthis. And President Trump is trying very much, I think, to dial down the pressure.
WSJ What’s News
Trump Kicks Off Mideast Trip Built Around Deals
And he always likes to say he doesn't want to start wars, he wants to end them. And so on top of all of that, there appears to be some growing effort to get a ceasefire in Gaza. And Prime Minister Netanyahu has just announced that he's going to be conducting you know, a major new war plan that would include conquering and holding on to territory in Gaza.
WSJ What’s News
Trump Kicks Off Mideast Trip Built Around Deals
So it definitely feels like at this moment, these two powers are not completely aligned. And obviously, it's coming at this time where President Trump is on this major trip and Israel is really sidelined from all of it.
WSJ What’s News
Trump Kicks Off Mideast Trip Built Around Deals
Yes, that's right. Obviously, the day before Trump announced tariffs, Israel put out a statement saying that it was ending all tariffs on American products. There weren't very many tariffs to begin with, but they put out this big statement really hoping that it would send the message to Trump and spare them from having tariffs slapped on them. And it did not.
WSJ What’s News
Trump Kicks Off Mideast Trip Built Around Deals
Israel was slapped with a 17% tariff, which is obviously not the highest, but also not the lowest. And so I think there is very clearly a strong isolationist and America first wing that questions the American-Israeli relationship, questions the idea that Israel should have any sort of unique relationship with the United States. And that part of the party is clearly influential with the president.
WSJ What’s News
Trump Kicks Off Mideast Trip Built Around Deals
I don't think it's the only part of the party that's influential. There's obviously also a very strong Republican base, especially the evangelical Christian base that is incredibly pro-Israel. And so Trump has to manage and contend with both of those.