Trump admin updates: Trump marks 1 year since assassination attempt in Butler, PA

President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he believed the U.S. was close to securing a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

"I will tell you, we're getting very close to a deal," Trump said.

"We want to have a ceasefire. We want to have peace. We want to get the hostages back. And I think we're close to doing it," Trump added.

The comments come after Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a second time this week on Tuesday night, with the discussion focused almost exclusively on Gaza. In a public statement after the meeting, Netanyahu said Israel remained focused on efforts to release hostages but did not announce any breakthrough.

President Donald Trump was asked on Wednesday for his reaction to the IRS saying churches can endorse political candidates without losing their tax-exempt status.

"I love the fact that churches can endorse a political candidate," he said.

"If somebody of faith wants to endorse, I think it's something that I'd like to hear. And I'd also I can guarantee you, the people that they're with every Saturday or Sunday or whatever it is they're with, they want to hear from these people. And it was a very severe penalty. Those people were not allowed to speak up. Now they're allowed to speak up. No, I think it's terrific," Trump added.

President Donald Trump posted several more trade letters on his social media platform on Wednesday morning, sharing the tariff rates for the following countries that will go into effect on Aug. 1.

The letters show a 30% tariff rate against Algeria, a 25% rate against Brunei, a 30% rate against Iraq, a 30% rate against Libya, a 25% rate against Moldova and a 20% rate against the Philippines.

As the president has touted a near completion of a trade deal with the European Union and India, he has yet to release their letter or deal.

-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh

President Donald Trump's schedule on Wednesday includes a 12:05 p.m. ET lunch with the leaders of five African nations in the State Dining Room.

Trump reportedly invited the leaders of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal to Washington to discuss areas of cooperation, including economic ties.