U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday terminating sanctions against Syria, a move the White House described as a step toward fostering 'stability and peace' in the region. The decision lifts decades-old economic restrictions while maintaining targeted measures against Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and his associates.
The order, outlined in a White House fact sheet, eases export controls on select goods and waives restrictions on foreign assistance to Syria. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been directed to explore sanctions relief at the United Nations to further support stabilization efforts.
Syria has faced U.S. sanctions since 1979, when it was designated a State Sponsor of Terrorism. Additional measures in 2004 and 2011 targeted its economy and political leadership amid the country's prolonged civil war. Trump first signaled the policy shift during a May 13 investment forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, emphasizing a recalibrated approach to regional diplomacy.
Analysts suggest the move could open opportunities for reconstruction and trade in Syria, though questions remain about its geopolitical implications. Business leaders and investors are closely monitoring how eased sanctions might affect energy, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors in the war-torn nation.
