President Al-Sharaa Concludes Historic Visit to Washington

A landmark White House meeting between President Donald J. Trump and President Ahmed al-Sharaa—along with recent steps to deepen security partnership, re-suspend Caesar Act sanctions, and reduce U.S. tariffs on Syrian imports—marks a defining moment in U.S.–Syria relations.

November 11, 2025 – Washington, DC — The U.S.–Syria Business Council (USSYBC) warmly welcomes President al-Sharaa’s historic visit to Washington, D.C., the first by a Syrian head of state. The Oval Office meeting, described by both sides as cordial and forward-looking, reflects a shared desire to open a new chapter of cooperation between the United States and Syria.

President Trump praised Syria’s new leadership and the resilience and human capital of its people, emphasizing America’s commitment to supporting Syria’s reconstruction, economic recovery, and reintegration. He noted that the United States seeks a stable, sovereign, and prosperous Syria that can contribute to regional peace. The White House meeting is expected to pave the way for progress on other key fronts, including Syria’s steps toward a security arrangement with Israel and the implementation of the March 10 agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces. Following the meeting, the Administration announced that Syria will join the U.S.-led Global Coalition against the Islamic State, further deepening bilateral security coordination.

President Trump also signaled his readiness to lower U.S. tariffs on Syrian imports from 41 to 10 percent—a move long advocated by the Council. The USSYBC applauds this measure as one that will reduce costs for American importers and small businesses and expand opportunities for Syrian exporters.

The meeting coincided with the U.S. Treasury’s decision to re-suspend the Caesar Act for an additional 180 day—until Congress’ expected repeal of the Act in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2026—and last week’s U.N. Security Council vote lifting sanctions on senior Syrian officials, including President al-Sharaa. Together, these developments underscore growing international confidence in Syria’s leadership.

During his visit, President al-Sharaa met with senior U.S. officials, lawmakers, and business leaders. The Council welcomed his meeting with House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL), who described their discussion as focused on “building a future for the people of Syria free of war, ISIS, and extremism.” Mast added that the President expressed his wish to “liberate from the past” and pursue a noble path for his people and country—and “to be a great ally of the United States.” The meeting comes amid growing bipartisan momentum in Congress to permanently repeal the Caesar Act and facilitate international investments in Syria.

“U.S.-Syria relations have transformed at a breathtaking pace, and today’s landmark engagements reaffirm the depth of Washington’s support for the new Syrian government. President Trump’s remarks not only underscore Syria’s strategic importance in the region, but also strengthen the confidence of businesses and investors eager to expand in both markets,” said Sameer Saboungi, Managing Director of the U.S.–Syria Business Council.

Beyond official meetings, President al-Sharaa’s trip showcased goodwill and outreach. He appeared on Fox News to outline Syria’s reform agenda and allyship with the United States, played basketball with CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper and anti-ISIS coalition officials, and engaged diaspora, policy, and investment leaders across Washington.

The USSYBC joined several high-level engagements with the President—including an intimate dialogue with Syrian-American organizational leaders and a corporate roundtable at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Both gatherings underscored strong interest from the American private sector and highlighted the Syrian-American diaspora’s vital role in bridging the two economies. President al-Sharaa called on U.S. companies to invest in Syria, emphasizing significant opportunities in areas such as energy, mining, infrastructure, finance, and digital transformation.

“This visit demonstrates that constructive dialogue and mutual respect can open doors to lasting peace and prosperity,” Jay Salkini, Chairman of the Board, added. “American companies now have an unprecedented opportunity to participate in Syria’s recovery, and the USSYBC looks forward to continuing its mission of fostering a strong foundation for bilateral trade and economic opportunities.”