President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the United States will lift economic sanctions on Syria, marking a significant shift in U.S. policy toward the war-torn country. The announcement came shortly after Trump’s arrival in Saudi Arabia for a regional summit.

Today, President Trump, at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. President Erdogan of Turkey joined by phone. President Erdogan praised President Trump for lifting sanctions on Syria and committed to working alongside Saudi… pic.twitter.com/0yhyZbQ1o0

— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) May 14, 2025

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According to the White House, President Trump is prepared to meet with Ahmed al-Sharaa, the interim leader of Syria who assumed power following the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad in December.

Sharaa, a former senior figure in both al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, now heads the insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has formed Syria’s provisional government since Assad’s ouster.

The White House confirmed that Sharaa is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to meet with President Trump.

Officials said Sharaa has offered several incentives to Washington, including oil and gas deals, normalization of relations with Israel, and the approval of permits for a Trump Tower development in Damascus.

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“Good luck Syria, show us something very special,” President Trump said during remarks at an investment forum in Riyadh.

“I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness. It’s their time to shine. We’re taking them all off.”

One of his announcements that received a standing ovation was that he would order the lifting of sanctions on Syria “in order to give them a chance at greatness.” He said the original reasons no longer made sense. The Crown Prince and audience stood and applauded. pic.twitter.com/TQOtPxo9iH

— Plein Crazy (@PleinCrazy) May 13, 2025

Sharaa has positioned himself as a reform-minded leader, seeking to rebrand his movement as a legitimate governing authority in Syria.

However, skepticism remains among Western governments due to Sharaa’s previous affiliations with jihadist groups and reports of continued human rights concerns under HTS governance.

Western officials have been cautious in engaging with Sharaa.

Earlier this month, French President Emmanuel Macron hosted the Syrian leader in Paris, prompting backlash from opposition figures in France who described the meeting as a betrayal of terrorism victims.

Concerns have also been raised about the treatment of ethnic and religious minorities in Syria under HTS rule.

Syrian Christians, Alawites, and Druze populations have reported persecution since the collapse of Assad’s regime.

Kurdish leaders have pushed for greater autonomy but were rebuffed last month by Sharaa, who rejected proposals for a decentralized government structure.

Despite these concerns, Sharaa has received growing support from regional powers.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) held a phone call with Sharaa on Sunday to discuss regional cooperation and economic ties.

According to Saudi officials, MBS reaffirmed his commitment to Syria’s “security and stability.”

Reuters reported that Saudi officials have been urging the White House to arrange a direct meeting between Trump and Sharaa during the President’s visit to Riyadh.

Details regarding the meeting’s agenda have not been disclosed.

Palestinian media outlets reported Tuesday that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas may also attend the meeting between President Trump, Sharaa, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

However, U.S. and Saudi officials have not confirmed Abbas’s participation.

Support for Sharaa’s leadership has also come from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Ankara has voiced early support for lifting international sanctions on Syria, citing the need for joint efforts with Damascus to address Kurdish militant groups operating near the Turkish border.

The Trump administration’s decision to lift sanctions comes after more than a decade of U.S. and international penalties aimed at weakening Assad’s hold on power.

The sanctions, which intensified during Syria’s civil war, targeted the Syrian government’s financial institutions, oil exports, and key regime figures.

With Assad no longer in power and a new provisional authority seeking recognition, the White House has signaled that its priority is to engage diplomatically and economically with Syria’s new leadership.

The meeting between President Trump and Ahmed al-Sharaa is expected to take place in Riyadh on Wednesday.

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