Trump pledges full US support for Syria after historic White House meeting

President Donald Trump has pledged extensive American support for Syria's reconstruction and development following a historic White House meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. In remarks to reporters after nearly two hours of closed-door discussions, Trump committed his administration to taking all available measures to assist Syria's recovery from decades of conflict and political transition.

Diplomatic Breakthrough

President Trump characterized the meeting as highly productive, stating the US would "do everything we can to make Syria successful" while describing Sharaa as "a very strong leader" who "comes from a very tough place, and he's a tough guy." The American president expressed personal rapport with his Syrian counterpart, noting "I liked him. I get along with him, the president, the new president in Syria." The encounter marked the first visit by a Syrian leader to the White House since the country gained independence nearly eight decades ago.

Regional Cooperation Emphasis

Trump specifically highlighted Syria's improving relationship with Türkiye, noting that Sharaa "gets along very well with Turkey, with President (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan, who's a great leader." He also mentioned coordination with Israel regarding Syrian relations, asserting that regional diplomatic efforts are "working amazingly." The US president emphasized Syria's strategic importance in the Middle East, stating "we have to make Syria work" while expressing confidence in the country's potential for success under its current leadership.

Policy Shifts

The discussions reportedly focused on lifting US sanctions imposed during the previous Syrian administration, formally integrating Damascus into international counterterrorism efforts against ISIS, and exploring potential normalization with Israel. The Trump administration has already initiated steps to reduce economic pressure on Syria, including sanction relief measures begun after the leaders' initial meeting in Saudi Arabia last May. These policy changes represent a dramatic transformation in US-Syrian relations following the country's prolonged civil conflict.