Trump pledges to lift Syria sanctions as he seals $142bn arms deal on Saudi visit

During his recent visit to Saudi Arabia, President Donald Trump emphasized the strong partnership between the United States and the kingdom, stating that there is 'no stronger partner' than Saudi Arabia. This trip marks Trump's first significant foreign visit since he began his second term, and it primarily focuses on fostering investment opportunities. One of the key announcements made during the visit was the unveiling of a massive arms deal worth $142 billion between the US and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia mentioned that this deal is part of a broader investment strategy that could eventually reach a staggering $1 trillion. Trump made Saudi Arabia the first stop on his tour, which will also include visits to Qatar and the UAE. Upon his arrival, Trump received a grand welcome, complete with a lavish lavender carpet rolled out in his honor. He even wore a purple tie to match the carpet, which symbolizes the kingdom's desert wildflowers and generosity. The Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, personally greeted Trump and provided an honor guard of Arabian horses to accompany him. At an investment forum, Trump praised the US-Saudi relationship, declaring it 'more powerful than ever before. ' He noted that significant wealth has been flowing into the United States from Saudi Arabia, which aligns with his administration's goal of attracting foreign investment to boost the American economy. Trump expressed his admiration for the Crown Prince, stating, 'I like him too much. That's why we give so much. ' This visit stands in stark contrast to the one made by former President Joe Biden in 2022, where he sought Saudi assistance in lowering gas prices. Biden's visit was marked by a more subdued reception, including a fist bump with the Crown Prince. In contrast, Trump's visit was characterized by pomp and ceremony, with a number of prominent business leaders accompanying him, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk. These corporate leaders are eager to collaborate with Saudi Arabia as the kingdom seeks to diversify its economy and enhance its capabilities in artificial intelligence. During the visit, it was announced that Nvidia, a leading tech company, will supply over 18,000 AI chips to a Saudi company, Humain. Trump also expressed his desire for Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords, a historic agreement that normalized relations between Israel and several Gulf countries. However, the Crown Prince made it clear that this would only occur after a permanent resolution to the conflict in Gaza and a clear path to Palestinian statehood. While addressing the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, Trump briefly mentioned that the people in Gaza deserve a 'better future,' which he believes has been hindered by Hamas's actions. In a significant move, Trump announced that he would lift the sanctions on Syria, a decision he suggested was made at the request of the Crown Prince. These sanctions had been in place for over a decade, aimed at applying economic pressure on the former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted from power. The lifting of these sanctions represents a significant shift for Syria, with the country's foreign minister describing it as a 'new start' for reconstruction efforts. Robert Ford, a former US ambassador to Syria, praised the decision, stating that Syria is in dire need of rebuilding after a devastating civil war. He emphasized that removing the sanctions will enable international investments to flow into Syria from Gulf states and other aid organizations, which is crucial for the country's recovery. Trump is expected to meet with Syria's transitional president during his trip, and after Saudi Arabia, he will continue on to Qatar and the UAE, which has already committed to investing $1. 4 trillion in the US over the next decade.