Trump to remove US sanctions on Syria
Published: 06:05 AM,May 14,2025 | EDITED : 01:05 PM,May 14,2025
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he would order the lifting of sanctions on Syria at the behest of Saudi Arabia's crown prince, a major US policy shift ahead of an expected meeting with Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Trump is set to say hello to Sharaa on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia, a White House official said. Two Syrian presidential sources told Reuters they would meet on Wednesday morning.
'I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria to give them a chance at greatness,' Trump told an investment forum in Riyadh, at the start of a tour of Gulf Arab states.
'It's their time to shine. We're taking them all off,' Trump said, 'Good luck, Syria, show us something very special.' Trump said he made the decision after discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, whose governments have both strongly urged the lifting of sanctions. Removing U.S. sanctions that cut Syria off from the global financial system will clear the way for greater engagement by humanitarian organizations working in Syria, easing foreign investment and trade as the country rebuilds.
Trump said he would remove all sanctions, saying they had served an important function, but it was time for Syria to move forward. He said steps were being taken to restore normal relations with Syria, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio would meet his Syrian counterpart this week.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, in a statement to Reuters, said it marked a turning point for the Syrian people in their efforts to rebuild. 'We ... stand ready to foster a relationship with the United States that is rooted in mutual respect, trust, and shared interests,' Shibani said.
He also said Trump could get a 'historic peace deal and victory for U.S. interests in Syria,' without elaborating. Joseph Aoun, president of neighbouring Lebanon, hailed Trump's 'bold move' as another step on Syria's path towards recovery and stability.
Alex Zerden, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, said Trump's announcement would unwind a 'Gordian knot' of sanctions, export controls and terrorist designations that had made Syria one of the most economically restricted countries, along with Iran, North Korea, and Cuba.
Trump is set to say hello to Sharaa on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia, a White House official said. Two Syrian presidential sources told Reuters they would meet on Wednesday morning.
'I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria to give them a chance at greatness,' Trump told an investment forum in Riyadh, at the start of a tour of Gulf Arab states.
'It's their time to shine. We're taking them all off,' Trump said, 'Good luck, Syria, show us something very special.' Trump said he made the decision after discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, whose governments have both strongly urged the lifting of sanctions. Removing U.S. sanctions that cut Syria off from the global financial system will clear the way for greater engagement by humanitarian organizations working in Syria, easing foreign investment and trade as the country rebuilds.
Trump said he would remove all sanctions, saying they had served an important function, but it was time for Syria to move forward. He said steps were being taken to restore normal relations with Syria, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio would meet his Syrian counterpart this week.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, in a statement to Reuters, said it marked a turning point for the Syrian people in their efforts to rebuild. 'We ... stand ready to foster a relationship with the United States that is rooted in mutual respect, trust, and shared interests,' Shibani said.
He also said Trump could get a 'historic peace deal and victory for U.S. interests in Syria,' without elaborating. Joseph Aoun, president of neighbouring Lebanon, hailed Trump's 'bold move' as another step on Syria's path towards recovery and stability.
Alex Zerden, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, said Trump's announcement would unwind a 'Gordian knot' of sanctions, export controls and terrorist designations that had made Syria one of the most economically restricted countries, along with Iran, North Korea, and Cuba.