Trump says he thinks he will remove Syria from US terrorism sponsor list

"I think I will," Trump told reporters in response to a question during a meeting with Syrian President Ahmed ​al-Sharaa in Turkey.

The U.S. has previously said it is reviewing ​Syria's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, which carries ⁠restrictions on U.S. foreign assistance, defense exports and certain financial transactions.

Last ​month Trump signed an executive order terminating a U.S. sanctions program on Syria, ​allowing an end to the country's isolation from the international financial system and building on Washington's pledge to help it rebuild after a devastating civil war.

Several Saudi firms ​are planning billion-dollar investments as part of Riyadh's efforts to support ​its recovery, while other Gulf states have also pledged financial assistance.

The United States has ‌dismantled ⁠most of its Syria sanctions regime and repealed the Caesar Act, which imposed sweeping measures on individuals, companies and institutions linked to former President Bashar al-Assad.

But Washington says sanctions will continue to target Assad and ​his associates, as ​well as alleged ⁠human rights abusers and other actors it says are destabilizing the region.

Trump complimented Sharaa, who was a commander ​of Al Qaeda's Nusra Front in Syria before ​cutting ties ⁠with the group in 2016. He then led a coalition of Islamist rebel factions in late 2024 to topple Assad.

"He's respected by everybody, including ⁠me," Trump ​said, who has encouraged Sharaa's actions against ​the Islamic State militant group in the region.