US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering lifting long-standing sanctions on Syria in exchange for economic concessions from the country’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa — including access to natural resources and the potential construction of a Trump Tower in Damascus.
Sharaa, who once fought with al-Qaeda-linked groups and spent time in US custody, is seeking to reposition Syria on the global stage after taking power in January. According to sources, he is also interested in joining the Abraham Accords, normalizing ties with Israel in exchange for economic and political normalization with the West.
Trump, currently on a diplomatic tour through the Middle East, has not confirmed whether the meeting will occur, though he acknowledged discussions around lifting sanctions to give Syria a “fresh start.”
The possible meeting has divided Trump’s advisers. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is reportedly opposed, citing Sharaa’s militant past. Others, including Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, see the proposal as an opportunity to counter China’s growing influence and lure Syria away from Iranian alignment.
“Trump isn’t negotiating with diplomats — he’s talking to businessmen. That’s why it’s moving fast,” one source familiar with the talks told The Times.
As regional powers like France and Saudi Arabia cautiously engage with the new Syrian leadership, the US appears poised to test how far deal-making can go in reshaping geopolitics — even in one of the world’s most volatile arenas.
