Trump signs order lifting sanctions on Syria, White House says
FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in this handout released on May 14, 2025. Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump signed on Monday an executive order terminating a U.S. sanctions program on Syria, allowing an end to the country's isolation from the international financial system and building on Washington's pledge to help it rebuild after a devastating civil war.
The move will allow the U.S. to maintain sanctions on Syria's ousted former president Bashar al-Assad, his associates, human rights abusers, drug traffickers, people linked to chemical weapons activities, the Islamic State and ISIS affiliates and proxies for Iran, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters in a briefing.
Assad was toppled in December in a lightning offensive by Islamist-led rebels and Syria has since taken steps to re-establish international ties.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said Trump's termination of the Syria sanctions program would "open door of long-awaited reconstruction and development," according to a post by the foreign minister on social media platform X.
He said the move would "lift the obstacle" against economic recovery and open the country to the international community.
Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Trump met in Riyadh in May where, in a major policy shift, Trump unexpectedly announced he would lift U.S. sanctions on Syria, prompting Washington to significantly ease its measures.
Some in Congress are pushing for the measures to be totally repealed, while Europe has announced the end of its economic sanctions regime.
"Syria needs to be given a chance, and that's what's happened," U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack told reporters in a briefing call. He described Monday's move as "the culmination of a very tedious, detailed, excruciating process of, how do you unwrap these sanctions."
The White House in a fact sheet said the order directs the Secretary of State to review the terrorism designations of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a rebel group that Sharaa led that has roots in al Qaeda, as well as Syria's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.
The White House said the administration would continue to monitor Syria's progress on key priorities including "taking concrete steps toward normalizing ties with Israel, addressing foreign terrorists, deporting Palestinian terrorists and banning Palestinian terrorist groups."
LAYERS OF U.S. SANCTIONS
A Reuters investigation published on Monday revealed the role of Syrian government forces in the killing of more than 1,500 Syrian Alawites over three days of massacres along the country's Mediterranean coast in March. The Trump administration had no comment on the Reuters report.
It was not immediately clear if Washington was lifting the sanctions on any of the factions that Reuters found were involved.
Syrians hope the easing of sanctions will clear the way for greater engagement by humanitarian organizations working in the country, encouraging foreign investment and trade as it rebuilds.
In the aftermath of Trump's announcement in May, the U.S. Treasury Department issued a general license that authorized transactions involving the interim Syrian government as well as the central bank and state-owned enterprises.
However, the U.S. has imposed layers of sanctions against Syria, some of which are authorized by legislation, including the Caesar Act. Repealing the measures is necessary for Syria to attract long-term investment without parties fearing the risk of violating U.S. sanctions.
"We are now, pursuant to the executive order, going to look at suspension criteria for the Caesar Act," a senior administration official said.
Most of the U.S. sanctions on Syria were imposed on Assad's government and key individuals in 2011 after civil war erupted in the country.
The dismantling of the U.S. sanctions program on Syria includes terminating from Tuesday a national emergency declared in 2004 and revoking linked executive orders, according to the order signed on Monday.
The executive order also directs additional actions, including some with respect to waivers of export controls and other restrictions, the order read. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Germany launches additional measures against Russia's 'shadow fleet'
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox BERLIN - Germany has pledged additional measures to further counter Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" operating in the Baltic and North Sea, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday in a statement. Western sanctions aimed at cutting Russia's oil revenues following its invasion of Ukraine have led to the rise of a vast "shadow fleet" of tankers that helps Moscow to keep its crude exports flowing. From Tuesday German authorities have begun questioning passing tankers about their insurance coverage against oil pollution damage, the foreign ministry said, adding that the insurance coverage of "shadow fleet" vessels is often unknown, as they avoid reputable insurers and European ports. "Our goal is very clear: We are increasing the pressure on the Russian shadow fleet and protecting the Baltic Sea," German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in the statement. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Mali's army says 80 militants killed after coordinated attacks on its posts
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox BAMAKO - Mali's armed forces have killed 80 militants in response to a series of simultaneous and coordinated attacks on military posts across the country, according to a video statement released by the army on Tuesday. "The enemy suffered significant losses in every location where they engaged with the security and defense forces," Souleymane Dembele, the army's spokesperson, said in a special bulletin broadcast on the armed forces' television channel, as visuals of fallen insurgents, their weapons, motorbikes, and vehicles were displayed. Al Qaeda affiliate Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) earlier claimed responsibility for "coordinated and high-quality attacks," saying it had taken control of over three barracks and dozens of military positions. Mali's armed forces said the attacks took place in seven towns in the central and western regions of the West African country. The incidents bore the hallmarks of other recent operations by the militants, who have conducted similar assaults on military positions in Mali and Burkina Faso. Mali, governed by a military junta since 2020, has for more than a decade fought insurgent groups linked to Islamic State and al Qaeda, while contending with a longer history of Tuareg-led rebellions in the north. The attacks on Tuesday targeted Diboli in western Mali near the border with Senegal, and the nearby towns of Kayes and Sandere. There were also attacks in Nioro du Sahel and Gogoui, northwest of the capital Bamako near the border with Mauritania, and in Molodo and Niono in central Mali, "all struck by shellfire," the army's statement said. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Bessent says US trade deal with India is very close
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News the trade negotiations with India were "intricate". WASHINGTON - The US and India are nearing a deal to lower tariffs on American imports to the South Asian country and to help India avoid levies imposed by the Trump administration rising sharply next week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on July 1. 'We are very close with India,' Mr Bessent told Fox News in response to a question about progress on trade negotiations. Indian officials extended a visit to Washington last week through June 30 to try to reach agreement on a trade deal with President Donald Trump's administration and address lingering concerns on both sides, Indian government sources told Reuters. India is one of more than a dozen countries actively negotiating with the Trump administration to try to avoid a steep spike in tariff rates on July 9, when a 90-day tariff pause ends. India could see its new 'reciprocal' tariff rate rise to 27 per cent from the current 10 per cent. The US-India talks have hit roadblocks over disagreements on import duties for auto components, steel, and farm goods, ahead of Mr Trump's deadline to impose reciprocal tariffs. 'We are in the middle - hopefully more than the middle - of a very intricate trade negotiation,' Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar told an event in New York on June 30. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Seniors can claim $800 SG60 vouchers from July 1; adults to get $600 in vouchers from July 22 Singapore NSman, 30, dies in hospital after collapsing outside Maju Camp Asia Thai PM's suspension could spell end of Shinawatra clan's era of political dominance Singapore Judge rejects woman's claim that she owns 99% of Bukit Timah condo mostly paid for by ex-boyfriend Singapore 'He fought till the end': Man who survived acid attack as a baby dies of cancer at 26 Singapore Trial opens for 3 women who allegedly organised procession outside Istana Business Do not overcommit to a single solution in a multi-polar world, says ex-foreign minister George Yeo Singapore 1MDB saga: Standard Chartered Bank disputes $3.4 billion claim by liquidators in Singapore 'Obviously, my hope would be that we bring it to a successful conclusion. I cannot guarantee it, because there's another party to that discussion,' said Mr Jaishankar, who is in the US for a meeting of the China-focused Quad grouping. He added that there 'will have to be give and take' and the two sides will have to find middle ground. Mr Bessent told Fox News that different countries have different agendas for trade deals, including Japan, which Mr Trump complained about on June 30. But Mr Bessent added that career trade negotiators are impressed with the offers that countries are making to the US. 'People who have been at Treasury, at Commerce, at USTR for 20 years, are saying that these are deals that they have never seen before,' Mr Bessent said. So far, only Britain has negotiated a limited trade deal with the Trump administration, accepting a 10 per cent US tariff on many goods, including autos, in exchange for special access for aircraft engines and British beef. REUTERS
