ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Former U.S. President Donald Trump began his visit to the Gulf region with a major announcement, revealing that the United States will lift longstanding sanctions on Syria. The declaration coincided with a sweeping \$600 billion investment commitment from Saudi Arabia, underscoring a renewed focus on economic diplomacy in the Middle East.
Major Policy Shift on Syria
The lifting of U.S. sanctions marks a significant reversal of decades-old policy toward Syria. Sanctions were first imposed in 1979 and expanded over the years, particularly during the civil war that began in 2011 under former President Bashar al-Assad. Assad was ousted in December by rebel forces led by current President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Speaking at an investment forum in Riyadh, Trump credited the move to a direct appeal from Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. “Oh what I do for the crown prince,” Trump joked, drawing laughter from attendees. He described the sanctions as having served their purpose and said it was now time for Syria to “move forward.”
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani welcomed the announcement, calling it a “new start” for the country’s reconstruction efforts.
$600 Billion Investment Deal
Trump also secured a landmark agreement with Saudi Arabia involving a \$600 billion investment pledge focused on key sectors including energy, defense, and mining. A substantial portion of the deal—nearly \$142 billion—is earmarked for defense procurement, which the White House described as the largest defense cooperation package in U.S. history.
The agreement encompasses air and missile defense systems, space and maritime security, and advanced communications. Although it remains unclear whether it includes Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jets, sources suggest further deals could bring the total value close to \$1 trillion.
“This is the best deal we’ve ever signed with anyone,” Trump said during the signing ceremony, held alongside Saudi officials and top American executives.
Strategic and Regional Implications
Trump’s visit, which will also take him to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, is primarily focused on investment and economic partnerships rather than traditional security issues. His remarks in Riyadh, however, did touch on regional geopolitics, particularly Iran and Israel.
Trump described Iran as “the most destructive force” in the Middle East and warned against its pursuit of nuclear weapons. “I want to make a deal with Iran,” he said, “But if Iran’s leadership rejects this olive branch… we will have no choice but to inflict massive maximum pressure.”
He also expressed hope that Saudi Arabia would eventually normalize relations with Israel, but acknowledged the kingdom’s hesitancy, especially amid ongoing conflict in Gaza and tensions over the future of a Palestinian state.
Prominent Business Presence
Several high-profile U.S. business leaders attended the Riyadh forum, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, and Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman. Trump held separate discussions with Saudi investment officials, including Aramco CEO Amin Nasser and Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih, reviewing projects linked to Vision 2030—Saudi Arabia’s plan to diversify its oil-dependent economy.
Looking Ahead
Trump is scheduled to meet Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday during the second leg of his Gulf tour. While the lifting of sanctions and the multibillion-dollar deal with Saudi Arabia mark significant milestones, questions remain about long-term regional stability and the future of U.S. foreign policy under a potential second Trump presidency.
As Trump positions himself for another presidential bid, these high-stakes announcements in the Gulf could have far-reaching implications for international relations and U.S. diplomatic strategy.
