Trump administration eases sanctions on Syria

The Trump administration announced Friday that it would ease sanctions against Syria, making good on President Trump's promise from earlier this month to roll back penalties against the country roiled by years of civil war. 

The Treasury Department confirmed the move in a statement Friday, saying it issued Syria a General License (GL) 25, authorizing transactions involving the country’s new government headed by Ahmad al-Sharaa. GL 25 will allow for new investment and private sector activity, positioning Syria to be free of the sanctions — most of which were imposed during ex-Syrian President Bashar Assad's rule. 

Assad was driven out of the office by Syrian rebels late last year. 

Secretary of State Marco said on Friday that he issued a 180-day waiver to make sure that sanctions don’t hamper the U.S.’s partners from making investments. The waivers facilitate the provision of water, energy, electricity and allow for a more “effective” humanitarian response all around Syria, according to Rubio.

“Today’s actions represent the first step in delivering on the President’s vision of a new relationship between Syria and the United States," the secretary of state said in a statement. "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."

“The President has made clear his expectation that relief will be followed by prompt action by the Syrian government on important policy priorities,” he added.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted in a statement that Syria has to continue working to become a “stable” nation that is at “peace” and that the federal government’s action on Friday will “hopefully put the country on a path to a bright, prosperous, and stable future.” 

Trump vowed earlier this month, during his multi-stop trip to the Middle East, that he would lift sanctions against Syria. He added that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan advocated for the sanctions to be lifted. 

The president met with al-Sharaa last week and encouraged the new leader to reject Palestinian and Syrian terrorists and help prevent the resurgence of ISIS, according to the White House.