RIYADH, Tuesday, May 13, 2025 (WNP): President Donald J. Trump began his high-profile Gulf tour on Tuesday with two major announcements: the United States will lift long-standing sanctions on Syria, and Saudi Arabia has pledged a record $600 billion in investment into the U.S. economy.
The trip’s opening salvo also included a historic arms deal between Washington and Riyadh, with the White House confirming the sale of a $142 billion defense package—described as the largest defense cooperation agreement in U.S. history.
The lifting of sanctions marks a dramatic shift in American foreign policy. Syria, ravaged by over a decade of civil war, has remained under various layers of U.S. sanctions since being designated a state sponsor of terrorism in 1979, with restrictions intensified in 2004 and again following the outbreak of civil conflict in 2011. The decision to reverse this decades-old stance follows the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad last December by rebel forces led by current President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Speaking at the 2025 Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum in Riyadh, Trump said the move came at the request of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. “Oh, what I do for the Crown Prince,” Trump quipped, drawing laughter from a packed audience of diplomats, investors, and policymakers. He acknowledged the role of sanctions in past U.S. strategy but said it was time to support Syria’s reconstruction and reintegration into the international community.
In response, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani called the move a “new start” for Syria in a post on social platform X, saying it could accelerate the war-torn nation’s road to recovery. A senior White House official confirmed that Trump is scheduled to meet briefly with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh on Wednesday.
The summit in Riyadh also saw Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman formalize a wide-ranging strategic agreement spanning energy, defense, mining, and economic cooperation. The defense component includes contracts with more than a dozen American companies, covering air and missile defense systems, aerospace, maritime security, and next-generation communication technologies.
Trump emphasized that deepening ties with Saudi Arabia is central to his broader Middle East agenda—one that aims to foster regional stability, expand cooperation with Israel, and contain Iran’s influence.
As the visit continues, analysts say the bold diplomatic moves may reshape regional alliances and signal a recalibration of U.S. priorities in the Middle East.
