Trump Announces Plan to Lift U.S. Sanctions on Syria, Paving Way for Post-War Reconstruction

President Donald Trump announced that the United States will lift sanctions on Syria, signaling a major shift in U.S. policy and opening the door for the war-torn country to begin post-conflict rebuilding under its new leadership.

“For years, Syria has suffered from the horrors of war and loss of life. That’s why my administration is taking the first steps toward restoring normal relations with Syria—for the first time in more than a decade,” Trump declared during a speech at the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum in Riyadh.

The announcement followed private discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to meet with Syria’s foreign minister in Turkey later this week to begin formal talks on lifting sanctions.

The U.S. has imposed numerous sanctions on Syria since 2004, intensifying them after the outbreak of civil war in 2011 under former President Bashar al-Assad. These measures included asset freezes, financial transaction bans, export restrictions, and arms embargoes. Trump expressed hope that ending the sanctions will allow Syria’s new government to stabilize and move toward lasting peace.

“Sanctions were once necessary and meaningful, especially given the context. But now is Syria’s time to shine,” Trump said. “I wish them the best and hope they show the world something truly remarkable.”

The move represents a significant diplomatic victory for Syria’s new administration, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, who took power after the ouster of Assad in December 2024.

White House officials confirmed that Trump is expected to hold an informal meeting with Sharaa in Riyadh. It would be the highest-level contact between the Syrian transitional government and the Trump administration to date, although the U.S. has not yet formally restored diplomatic relations or recognized Sharaa’s leadership.

UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen praised the U.S. announcement, calling the removal of sanctions “a necessary step to restore vital services like healthcare, education, and economic reconstruction.” The United Kingdom and the European Union had already eased some of their own restrictions earlier this year.

Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani welcomed the news as “a new beginning for rebuilding our country and opening a new chapter worthy of the Syrian people and our national history.”

In an emotional televised interview on Al Arabiya, Syrian Economy Minister Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar wept as he reacted to Trump’s decision. “The rebirth of Syria is beginning. We are entering an era of economic recovery, with the international community once again opening its doors to us,” he said.

(Sources: CNN, AP)

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