Trump Moves to Remove Syria From U.S. State Sponsors of Terrorism List

Overview

• President Donald Trump informed Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday, July 8 that he will remove Syria from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism and delivered a formal letter announcing the decision.
• The White House has notified Congress and a statutory 45-day review now begins before the delisting can take effect.
• Last month the administration ended a U.S. sanctions program and revoked the Caesar Act, moves that have already eased Syria’s isolation from the international financial system.
• Saudi companies and other Gulf actors have reported plans for multibillion-dollar investments for Syrian reconstruction, and the White House says American firms are ready to invest.
• Washington says it will retain targeted sanctions on Bashar al-Assad, his allies and alleged human-rights violators even as it pursues diplomatic and financial re-engagement with Syria.