WASHINGTON (TNND) — The Trump administration announced that 50 countries have reached out as of Monday to negotiate tariffs, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu being the first to secure an in-person meeting. Netanyahu met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday to talk tariffs, Iran and the war in Gaza.

Israel, like dozens of other countries, was not spared President Trump's sweeping global tariffs, facing a 17% tariff on products exported to the United States.

Global markets continued their spiral downward Monday in reaction to the tariffs.

Trump defended his tariffs from the Oval Office Monday telling reporters, "We've been ripped off and taken advantage of by many countries over the years and can’t do it anymore, can’t do it anymore, I can't be the stupid people anymore...We’re going to have one shot at this and no other president is going to do what I’m doing and I’ll tell you what, it's an honor to do it because we have been just destroyed, what they've done to our system."

During the bilateral press conference in the Oval Office, Netanyahu promised, "We will eliminate a trade deficit with the United States, we intend to do it very quickly. We think it’s the right thing to do and we will also eliminate trade barriers. But I think Israel can serve as a model for many countries who can also do the same."

While no trade deal was announced, both leaders acknowledged progress was made.

Trump said he spoke with Japan's prime minister Monday morning and the Japanese are planning their own visit to Washington to discuss a trade deal.

Also on Monday, Trump made a surprise announcement regarding Iran, stating that there will be direct talks involving high-level officials from both countries this Saturday.

The meeting between Trump and Netanyahu came at a critical moment for the Israel-Gaza conflict. The ceasefire broke down last month, and fighting resumed, with Israel announcing plans to seize large areas of Gaza.

"We’re looking at another ceasefire. We’ll see what happens. But we want to get the hostages out," Trump said.

During Netanyahu's first visit back in early February, Trump shocked the world when he proposed the U.S. should take over and rebuild Gaza.

When asked about this Monday, Trump said, "I think it's an incredible piece of important real estate and I think it's something that we would be involved in, but you know, having a peace force like the United States there controlling and owning the Gaza Strip would be a good thing because right now all it is is for years and years all I hear about is killing and Hamas and problems."

Trump also suggested creating what he called a "freedom zone" in Gaza.

A free zone, a zone where people aren't gonna be killed every day."

Egypt has presented the latest ceasefire proposal aimed at breaking the negotiation deadlock between Israel and Hamas. The plan includes the release of eight hostages in exchange for a 40-70-day pause in fighting and the release of Palestinian prisoners.