US President Donald Trump made history on Wednesday, becoming the first American president in 25 years to meet with a Syrian leader. This meeting took place in Riyadh during his first state visit of his second term. Trump met with Ahmed al-Sharaa, the newly installed Syrian interim president who took over following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in December.
Their brief talks occurred ahead of a broader summit of Gulf leaders. According to a White House official, the meeting aimed to open a new chapter in Syria’s relations with the United States and its allies. Trump’s decision to engage directly with a Syrian head of state marked a major shift from the long-standing US approach since Bill Clinton last met Hafez al-Assad in 2000.
US Lifts Sanctions on Syria Amid Regional Support
In a major policy move, Trump announced on Tuesday that the United States would lift what he called “brutal and crippling” Assad-era sanctions on Syria. The announcement came in response to appeals from Sharaa’s backers in Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
Trump stated that the time had come for Syrians to “shine” and that lifting sanctions would give the war-battered nation “a chance at greatness.” The response from Syrians was immediate. Crowds gathered in Umayyad Square in Damascus to celebrate.
Huda Qassar, a 33-year-old English teacher, shared her excitement: “My joy is great. This decision will definitely affect the entire country positively. Construction will return, the displaced will return, and prices will go down.”
The Syrian foreign ministry praised the decision, describing it as a “pivotal turning point” for the nation.
Trump Faces Backlash Over Qatar Jet Offer and Israel Tensions
Trump’s trip to Riyadh was followed by a planned visit to Qatar, which stirred controversy. The Gulf country reportedly offered Trump a $400 million luxury aircraft to serve as a new Air Force One, later for his personal use.
The offer triggered backlash from US lawmakers. Senator Chuck Schumer, the Senate’s top Democrat, vowed to block all Justice Department political appointees until the matter was fully investigated.
Meanwhile, Israel expressed concern over Trump’s decision to ease sanctions on Syria. It has continued its military strikes in Syria, aiming to weaken militant groups and expressing doubts about Ahmed al-Sharaa’s ability to bring real change.
Israel also ended a ceasefire with Hamas and blocked humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, leading to growing fears of famine. The ceasefire, brokered earlier this year by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, had briefly paused hostilities in Gaza.
Sanctions Lift Paves Way for Economic Recovery
Despite the sanctions relief, the US has not removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, a designation in place since 1979. This label limits international investment, but the easing of economic sanctions is expected to unlock other vital financial avenues.
Rabha Seif Allam, a political analyst from Cairo, explained the potential impact:
“Lifting sanctions will give Syria a real opportunity to receive the funding needed to revive the economy, impose central state authority and launch reconstruction projects with clear Gulf support.”
She added that bank transfers from foreign investors and millions of Syrians in the diaspora could now begin to flow into the country.
The European Union and other Western powers had already begun to soften their stances, but the United States had remained firm until now.
New Era in US-Syria Relations?
Trump’s meeting with Syria’s new leader and his dramatic sanctions reversal mark a turning point in US foreign policy. With regional allies like Saudi Arabia and Turkey backing the move, and hopeful scenes in Damascus, the world is watching closely to see whether Syria can finally move toward peace and economic recovery.
While critics question Trump’s intentions and timing, others see this as a long-overdue shift that could help restore stability in one of the Middle East’s most devastated countries. As Trump put it, “It’s time for Syrians to shine.”
