Trump’s vow prompts the US to sign orders lifting sanctions on Syria

President Donald Trump promised to remove the sanctions on Syria this month in order to aid in the nation’s reconstruction following a catastrophic civil war, and the Trump administration released directives on Friday that it claimed would effectively erase the sanctions.

A general license given by the Treasury Department permits transactions involving the central bank, state-owned businesses, and the temporary Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

GL25, the general license, “authorizes transactions prohibited by the Syrian Sanctions Regulations, effectively lifting sanctions on Syria,” according to a statement from the Treasury Ministry.

“GL25 will enable new investment and private sector activity consistent with the President’s America First strategy,” stated the statement.

A 180-day Caesar Act waiver was also granted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he said in a statement, to make sure that sanctions do not hinder investment, allow for the provision of energy, water, sanitation, and electricity, and support humanitarian activities.

“Today’s actions represent the first step in delivering on the President’s vision of a new relationship between Syria and the United States,” Rubio said, acknowledging that Trump had made it plain that he expected the Syrian government to take action after sanctions were lifted.

Trump met with Sharaa last week, and the White House said the president asked Syria to comply with a number of demands in return for the lifting of sanctions. These demands included the expulsion of all foreign militants from Syria, the deportation of what he described as Palestinian terrorists, and assistance to the United States in preventing the resurgence of ISIS.

“President Trump is providing the Syrian government with the chance to promote peace and stability, both within Syria and in Syria’s relations with its neighbors,” stated Senator Rubio.

‘POSITIVE STEP’

The Foreign Ministry described the sanctions waiver as a “positive step in the right direction to alleviate the country’s humanitarian and economic suffering,” and Syria hailed it early on Saturday.

Syria is eager for international cooperation “based on mutual respect and non-interference in domestic affairs.” The ministry stated in a statement that it thinks the best way to establish balanced relations is through communication and diplomacy.

After a civil conflict broke out in Syria in 2011, the United States placed the majority of its sanctions on the regime of President Bashar al-Assad and other influential figures. In December, militias led by Sharaa overthrew Assad.

Among the individuals and organizations with whom transactions are now permitted is Sharaa, who was previously approved under the name Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani, according to the general license. The Central Bank of Syria, many other banks, a number of state oil and gas firms, the Four Seasons Damascus hotel, and Syrian Arab Airlines are also listed.

Trump abruptly declared last week that he would remove the sanctions at the request of the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, marking a significant change in U.S. policy, just before having a quick meeting with Sharaa in Riyadh.

In order to promote international investment and trade as Syria recovers, it is hoped that lifting sanctions on the country will allow humanitarian organizations to become more involved. However, the United States has taken a number of measures on Syria, including a ban on major imports and a cutoff from the global banking system. The prospect of a country becoming subject to sanctions again can deter private sector investment.

The United States first listed the nation as a state sponsor of terrorism in 1979. Since then, it has imposed more sanctions, including many rounds in response to the 2011 uprising against Assad.