After President Donald Trump this month promised to undo the policies helping Syria rebuild following a terrible civil war, the Trump government issued directives Friday declaring they would essentially relieve sanctions on the nation.
Along with the central bank and state-owned companies, the Treasury Department granted a general license allowing transactions involving the temporary Syrian government headed by President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The Treasury stated in a statement that the overall license, GL25, “authorizes transactions forbidden by the Syrian Sanctions Regulations, effectively easing sanctions on Syria,” therefore relieving Syria of restrictions.
“GL25 will enable new investment and private sector activity consistent with the President’s America First strategy,,” the statement stated.
In a statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio also authorized a 180-day waiver under the Caesar Act to ensure that sanctions do not hinder investment and to enable the provision of electricity, energy, water and sanitation and so support humanitarian endeavors.
“Today’s actions reflect the first step in delivering on the President’s vision of a new relationship between Syria and the United States,” Rubio said, noting that Trump had made plain his expectation that actions by the Syrian government would follow from easing of sanctions.
