U.S. President Donald Trump has informed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa that he intends to remove Syria from the United States' list of state sponsors of terrorism, a move that could pave the way for greater foreign investment and deeper economic engagement with Washington.
According to a letter seen by Reuters, Trump told Sharaa that his administration was working to eliminate obstacles that have hindered Syria's recovery after years of conflict.
“I promised to remove all barriers stopping you from rebuilding your country, and very soon, you will finally be able to do so,” Trump wrote.
The letter was delivered to Sharaa following a meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, according to a senior U.S. administration official.
Trump also said American businesses were ready to play a role in Syria's reconstruction.
“We have U.S. companies ready to invest in Syria and help make your country greater and more prosperous than ever before,” he wrote.
The U.S. president said he had formally notified Congress of the decision. Under U.S. law, lawmakers will now conduct a 45-day review period before the removal can take effect.
Syria's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism has long restricted access to U.S. foreign assistance, defence exports and certain financial transactions. Removing the designation would represent one of the most significant shifts in U.S.-Syria relations in decades.
Syrian Central Bank Governor Safwat Raslan welcomed the move, saying it would support economic recovery and help reintegrate Syria into the global economy.
In a Telegram post, Raslan said the decision would open the door to broader investment opportunities and financial cooperation.
The announcement follows a series of steps by the Trump administration aimed at easing Syria's isolation. Last year, Trump signed an executive order terminating a major U.S. sanctions programme on Syria, enabling the country to reconnect with parts of the international financial system.
Several Gulf countries have since moved to support Syria's recovery efforts. Saudi companies are reportedly preparing investments worth billions of dollars, while other regional states have pledged financial assistance.
Trump also used the occasion to praise Sharaa, despite the Syrian leader's past links to Islamist militant groups.
Sharaa previously served as a commander in Syria's al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front before severing ties with the organisation in 2016. He later led a coalition of Islamist rebel factions that overthrew former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024.
The U.S. president has backed Sharaa's actions against Islamic State militants and spoken positively about his leadership.
“He's respected by everybody, including me,” Trump said.
If Congress does not block the move during its review period, Syria's removal from the terrorism list would mark a major diplomatic breakthrough for Damascus. It could accelerate efforts to attract foreign investment and rebuild an economy devastated by years of war.
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