Israel has told the US that its steel and aluminum exports total just $25 million, but US import tariffs could harm 60 small companies.
Israel is pressing the US administration for an exemption from the high customs duties on aluminum and steel products announced by US President Donald Trump.
Sources inform "Globes" that the Ministry of Economy and Industry Foreign Trade Administration asked the International Trade Administration in the US Department of Commerce to exempt Israel from the restrictions on exports of steel to the US market.
Israel's official reason for the request is that its metal exports to the US are marginal, totaling $25 million a year, and pose no threat to the US economy. At the same time, the requests states that limiting aluminum and steel exports from Israel to the US and setting high customs duties will affect dozens of small and medium-sized companies operating throughout Israel.
The reform announced by Trump in recent weeks is designed to protect US industry mainly against massive metal imports from China. He signed orders imposing 25% customs duties on steel and 10% customs duties on aluminum. Trump explained that his measures were a "response to a security threat" posed by large-scale metal exports leading to the closing down of enterprises in the US.
The restrictions became effective temporarily late last week, and are due to take permanent effect in early May. Under Trump's orders, six countries - Canada, Mexico, Brazil, South Korea, Argentina, and Australia, plus the European Union - will be exempted from the restrictions, at least in the coming weeks.