Trump Orders Removal of All US Sanctions on Syria

President Donald Trump announced plans to lift all United States sanctions against Syria during a speech at a Saudi investment forum in Riyadh on Tuesday. “I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness,” Trump said, citing discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as influential in his decision, according to CNBC. The surprise announcement marks a dramatic shift in US policy toward the war-torn nation following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024.

The sanctions relief comes ahead of Trump’s expected meeting with Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, scheduled for Wednesday in Saudi Arabia. White House officials confirmed that Trump will “say hello” to al-Sharaa, marking the highest-level engagement to date between the new Syrian government and the Trump administration.

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A New Chapter for Syria

The decision to lift sanctions represents a significant victory for Syria’s new government, which has struggled to rebuild the country after more than a decade of civil war. The US had designated Syria a state sponsor of terrorism since 1979, with additional sanctions imposed in 2004 and again in 2011 after the Assad regime’s brutal crackdown on anti-government uprisings, according to The Washington Post.

President Trump characterized the sanctions as “brutal and crippling” but suggested they had served their purpose following the Assad regime’s collapse. “Now it is their time to shine. We are taking them all off. Good luck Syria. Show us something very special,” Trump said, drawing applause from the audience at the Saudi-US Investment Forum.

Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani welcomed the announcement, stating on social media: “We see the lifting of sanctions as a new beginning on the path to reconstruction. Thanks to the stances of our Arab brothers — foremost among them Saudi Arabia — we are opening a new chapter toward a future worthy of the Syrian people and their history.”

Regional Context and Reactions

Trump’s decision follows recent moves by European powers to normalize relations with the new Syrian government. French President Emmanuel Macron hosted al-Sharaa in Paris last week, signaling that the European Union would gradually lift its own sanctions on Syria, according to Anadolu Agency.

Regional leaders have strongly advocated for the removal of sanctions, with both Saudi Arabia and Turkey reportedly urging Trump to take this step. During his speech, Trump joked about his responsiveness to Saudi requests, saying “Oh, what I do for the crown prince,” which drew laughs from the audience.

The decision may complicate relations with Israel, however, which has viewed the new Syrian government with deep suspicion. Israeli officials have described al-Sharaa as a jihadist due to his past affiliation with al-Qaeda, though he severed those ties in 2016. Israel has also escalated military operations near the Syrian border since the fall of the Assad regime in December.

Background on Syria’s New Leadership

Ahmed al-Sharaa came to power in December 2024 following a stunning rebel offensive that toppled Bashar al-Assad’s government after 14 years of devastating civil war. Al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda commander, has sought to present himself as reformed and moderate as he works to gain international recognition and support.

The new Syrian government under al-Sharaa has made efforts to cooperate with international partners, with Syrian intelligence services reportedly foiling several ISIS plots and arresting ISIS commander Abu al-Harith al-Iraqi in February 2025.

Despite these positive steps, al-Sharaa’s background has prompted caution among some US officials and lawmakers. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham offered a reserved response to Trump’s announcement, stating: “I am very inclined to support sanctions relief for Syria under the right conditions. However, we must remember that the current leadership in Syria achieved its position through force of arms, not through the will of its people.”

Economic Implications

The removal of US sanctions is expected to have significant economic benefits for Syria, which has been effectively cut off from the global financial system. The sanctions had prohibited anyone in the US from dealing with Syrian entities, including in the oil and gas sector, and had effectively isolated Syrian banks from global financial systems.

Experts suggest the lifting of sanctions will clear the way for greater humanitarian engagement in Syria while easing foreign investment and trade as the country rebuilds. Alex Zerden, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, described Trump’s announcement as unwinding a “Gordian knot” of sanctions, export controls, and terrorist designations that had made Syria one of the most economically restricted countries in the world.

The United Nations’ special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, welcomed the announcement, noting that sanctions relief is imperative to allow the delivery of essential services like healthcare and education and to revive the country’s devastated economy.

What’s Next

The White House has not yet provided a detailed timeline for implementing the sanctions relief, but Trump’s announcement suggests action will be swift. The US has not formally reestablished diplomatic ties or officially recognized the al-Sharaa government, though sources indicate there has been lower-level engagement in recent months.

Trump’s meeting with al-Sharaa on Wednesday will be closely watched for indications of how the relationship between the two countries might develop. Analysts suggest that a successful meeting could pave the way for a more comprehensive normalization of relations, potentially including the reopening of embassies and formal diplomatic recognition.

As Syria begins its long path to recovery and reintegration into the international community, Trump’s decision represents a significant milestone that could shape the future of the Middle East for years to come.

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