Trump Announces Lifting of Syria Sanctions and $142 Billion Arms Deal During Saudi Visit
During a visit to Saudi Arabia, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to lift long-standing sanctions on Syria. He stated that ending the sanctions would help rebuild the war-torn country, which has faced years of conflict. The decision came after a request from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
In his speech, Trump expressed a vision for the Middle East centered on economic growth, business cooperation, and technological advancements. He emphasized moving past historic divisions to build a more prosperous future.
As part of his visit, Trump also secured a massive $142 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia, the largest defense agreement ever made by the U.S. According to the White House, the deal covers a wide range of defense systems, including air, missile, and maritime security. There is also potential for the deal to grow to $1 trillion with additional agreements.
During his trip to Saudi Arabia, Trump secured a $600 billion investment from the kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United States.
The decision to lift Syria's sanctions marks a major shift in U.S. policy, as the country has been sanctioned since 1979 due to its designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. Sanctions intensified in 2004 and again after the civil war began in 2011. The change comes after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime last December, when rebels led by current President Ahmed al-Sharaa took control.
During his visit, Trump also highlighted Saudi Arabia's economic diversification plan, Vision 2030, which aims to reduce dependence on oil by investing in technology and infrastructure projects like NEOM. Despite past tensions, particularly after the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Trump expressed strong support for the Saudi leadership.
Trump did not include Israel on his itinerary, raising questions about the U.S. stance on the ongoing conflict in Gaza. However, he expressed hope for Saudi-Israeli normalization while continuing to pressure Iran to change its stance on nuclear development.