Washington D.C. – In a move signaling a potential shift in U.S.-Syrian relations, President Donald Trump is hosting Syrian President Ahmed al-Shareh at the White House today. This marks the first official visit by a Syrian president to the United States in decades.
The two leaders are expected to discuss a range of critical issues, including the potential lifting of sanctions against Syria and Damascus formally joining the international coalition against ISIS. The agenda also includes discussions on various political, economic, and security matters.
President Trump recently stated his administration is working towards easing sanctions on Syria, praising President al-Shareh’s leadership. The Syrian Ministry of Information has confirmed that President al-Shareh will emphasize the urgent need to lift economic sanctions, particularly those imposed under the Caesar Act, to facilitate economic recovery and attract foreign investment.
As part of his visit to Washington, President al-Shareh has already met with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to discuss Syria’s economic transformation plans. He also held an extensive meeting with the Syrian diaspora in Washington, D.C., alongside Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaybani and U.S. Special Envoy to Syria, Thomas Brack.
During the meeting with the Syrian diaspora, President al-Shareh emphasized the importance of maintaining ties with their homeland and expressed his appreciation for their efforts to support Syria.
Syria’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Ibrahim Alabi, described the visit and the anticipated meeting with President Trump as a historic achievement. He noted that the economic file will be a top priority for President al-Shareh, alongside continued security coordination with Washington to serve Syrian interests.
