US Administration Delivers Sanctions Relief for Syria

Today’s actions represent the first step on delivering on the president’s vision of a new relationship between Syria and the United States.”

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The administration of United States President Donald Trump has taken its first concrete action to deliver sanctions relief for Syria, following a surprise policy pivot earlier this month. On Friday, the US Department of the Treasury announced sweeping relief to an array of individuals and entities, which it said will “enable new investment and private sector activity consistent with [Trump’s] America First strategy”. This move aims to boost Syria’s economic prospects after years of civil war and sanctions.

The US State Department concurrently issued a waiver to the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, a 2019 law that imposed broad sanctions targeting the Assad government and its allies for atrocities committed against civilians. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the waiver would “facilitate the provision of electricity, energy, water and sanitation, and enable a more effective humanitarian response across Syria.”

According to Rubio, “Today’s actions represent the first step on delivering on the president’s vision of a new relationship between Syria and the United States.” The authorization covers new investment in Syria, provision of financial services, and transactions involving Syrian petroleum products.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, “As President Trump promised, the Treasury Department and the State Department are implementing authorizations to encourage new investment into Syria.” Bessent added, “Syria must also continue to work towards becoming a stable country that is at peace, and today’s actions will hopefully put the country on a path to a bright, prosperous, and stable future”.

Background

Trump’s announcement earlier this month surprised the international community, pledging to remove sanctions placed on Syria during the leadership of its now-ousted leader, President Bashar al-Assad. The move marks an initial step towards that goal, as Syria recovers from abuses under al-Assad’s government and 13 years of civil war.

Trump said lifting US sanctions would give Syria “a chance at greatness”, since the restrictions left the war-torn country economically isolated. “It’s their time to shine. We’re taking them all off,” he said from Riyadh.

Sanctions Relief Details

The sanctions relief applies to “the Government of Syria…as in existence on or after May 13, 2025”, according to the Treasury Department. The reprieve also applies to several previously sanctioned transportation, banking, tourism, and fossil fuel entities. However, transactions related to Russia, Iran, and North Korea remain under US sanctions.

In a related development, the European Union announced earlier this week that it had lifted sanctions against Syria, sparking hopes of boosted investment and reconstruction in the war-torn country.

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