ALBAWABA – US President Donald Trump announced yesterday the lifting of all sanctions imposed on Syria. The announcement was made during his participation in the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, as part of Trump’s visit to the Kingdom.
Trump lifts sanctions on Syria
Yesterday, US President Donald Trump announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria during his participation in the Saudi Investment Forum, as part of his visit to the country.
“Syria, they’ve had their share of travesty, war, killing in many years. That’s why my administration has already taken the first steps toward restoring normal relations between the United States and Syria for the first time in more than a decade. The sanctions were brutal and crippling and served as an important — really an important function — nevertheless, at the time. But now it’s their time to shine. So, I say, ‘Good luck, Syria.’ Show us something very special,” Trump stated.
Notably, the decision came after discussions between President Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, aiming to improve the economic and political situation in Syria.
People celebrate in Damascus' Omeyyad square after US President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions in Syria, on May 13, 2025. (AFP)
According to experts, lifting the sanctions is expected to significantly ease Syria’s ongoing economic crisis, strengthen the Syrian lira, boost import and export activity, and kickstart the country's reconstruction process.
Moreover, the new decision is expected to strengthen Syria’s political position in the region and may influence the European Union’s stance, which still imposes sanctions on the country.
Critics believe Trump’s decision is driven by his ambitions to expand US influence in the region, as well as by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s reported plans to establish a Trump Tower in Syria, aiming to strengthen ties between the two countries.
As a result, Syrians from around the world may be encouraged to return to their country amid signs of economic development and improvements in daily life. However, some experts anticipate that the new Syrian regime might exploit the economic recovery to tighten its security grip without implementing political reforms, especially given the ongoing divisions and de facto federalism in various regions across the south, north, east, and west.
