Trump’s Move to Lift Syria Sanctions Sparks Hope Amid Uncertainty
Lifting restrictions could let Syrian banks rejoin the global system, ease imports of vital goods, boost reconstruction, and encourage refugee returns—especially if reforms follow.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — President Donald Trump’s announcement that the United States will begin lifting sanctions on Syria has raised cautious hopes of economic recovery in the war-ravaged nation, according to the Associated Press (AP).
The decision, made public following a meeting between President Trump and interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on Wednesday, could unlock billions in frozen investments and ease everyday hardships for Syrians battered by more than a decade of civil war and economic isolation. However, experts warn that while the announcement is symbolically significant, its practical effects will take time to materialize.
“I think people view sanctions as a switch that you turn on and off,” Karam Shaar, a Syrian economist and head of Karam Shaar Advisory Limited, told AP.
U.S. sanctions on Syria date back to 1979 and were intensified over the decades, culminating in the 2019 Caesar Act, which targeted officials and institutions involved in war crimes and human rights abuses. The measures, designed to punish Syria’s former leadership under Bashar al-Assad and his allies, have effectively strangled much of the country's economy and restricted the import of even basic goods.
The sanctions have affected every aspect of Syrian life—from medicine and fuel shortages to difficulties in financial transactions and technology access. Humanitarian organizations have also struggled to operate fully, especially after the 2023 earthquake that devastated parts of northern Syria.
Al-Sharaa, a former opposition leader who rose to power following the ouster of Assad, has long advocated for the lifting of sanctions, arguing they now hurt only civilians and obstruct national recovery.
Following Trump’s announcement, spontaneous celebrations broke out in cities across Syria, and the country’s currency surged by 60% overnight—an immediate sign of renewed public confidence. Leaders from neighboring Arab states, many of whom host millions of Syrian refugees, also welcomed the move.
Still, experts emphasize that the true economic impact will depend on how the U.S. implements the easing process. “Unless enough layers of sanctions are peeled off, you cannot expect the positive impacts on Syria to start to appear,” said Shaar. “Even if you remove some of the top ones, the impact economically would still be nonexistent.”
The prospect of lifting restrictions could allow Syrian banks to rejoin the global financial system and enable businesses to import critical supplies, from auto parts to industrial equipment. It may also pave the way for reconstruction and potentially encourage refugee return, particularly if political and economic reforms follow.
Lebanese economist Mounis Younes believes stability and opportunity could entice Syrians in exile to return home. “If the situation stabilized and there were reforms, we would then see Syrians returning to their country if they were given opportunities, as we expect,” he said.
For aid organizations like Mercy Corps, the move offers a rare glimmer of optimism. “It marks a potentially transformative moment for millions of Syrians who have endured more than 13 years of economic hardship, conflict, and displacement,” Mathieu Rouquette, the group’s country director for Syria told AP.
But the road ahead remains uncertain. The U.S. Treasury has eased some restrictions in recent months, and allies like the UK and EU have taken similar steps, but the full dismantling of sanctions will require careful navigation through decades of complex legal and diplomatic frameworks.
Still, for many Syrians, Trump’s second-term move offers a long-awaited sense of hope after years of isolation, suffering, and stalled recovery.
