Doubts about Trump’s promise to lift Syria’s sanctions

According to RCO News Agency, the US media reported that it would not be easy to lift the sanctions and eliminate their consequences, referring to US President Donald Trump’s decision to reduce Syrian sanctions.

Trump’s decision to end the Syrian sanctions is a pleasant News, because when the new Syrian rulers dominated it, it was one of the most sanctions in the world and US economic pressure was a major obstacle to rebuilding it, according to Farren Palace.

Trump has taken important steps to reduce US restrictions, but according to US media acknowledgment, the complete end of sanctions is not an easy task. If the Trump administration wants to fulfill the president’s promise to lift sanctions, it is difficult.

Donald Trump is the first US president to take such a step towards lifting sanctions. Previous governments usually lifted the sanctions in exchange for the vicious and negotiated actions of the other party. For example, the reduction of the Obama administration’s sanctions against Iran after the signing of the nuclear deal was so complicated that the subject of a book was complete. But Trump’s simple promise in Riyadh showed that he was ready to lift sanctions against Syria almost unconditionally.

His government’s rapid action to reduce sanctions shows that he is a serious decision. Widespread sanctions exemptions issued on May 5 made it possible for most of the transactions that were previously banned. The US Treasury Department’s overall license and the abolition of the Caesar Law to protect Syrian civilians by the State Department have practically lifted much of Washington’s sanctions.

However, Syria is still a set of sanctions regimes, some of which have remained in the past year. These include the label of the “government supporter of terrorism”, the existence of the Tahrir al -Sham delegation on the list of US terrorist organizations, punitive laws such as Caesar Code, and Syria’s accountability law.

In order to lift these sanctions and other restrictions, additional measures are needed by the Foreign Ministries, Treasury, Commerce and Congress, according to Farren Palace. If the US government really wants to improve sanctions in the field of action, it should take further steps.

According to the report, it is likely that Trump will withdraw under the pressure of his Republican and government members and impose conditions for lifting sanctions before giving further exemptions; Perhaps in the form of the same five demands he had made during the May 9 meeting with the Syrian interim government chief Ahmed al -Shara.

Former US presidents – including Trump himself – have been accused of repeatedly changed the criteria for lifting sanctions. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also suggested the possibility, saying he expects the Syrian government to take action immediately after the sanctions were reduced; However, it did not directly impose a condition for lifting sanctions.

“Despite the US government’s face -to -face move to end sanctions, there is a fundamental question: Is Trump really able to provide effective exemptions?”

Other countries have also imposed sanctions on Syria that the United States has no control over. Although the European Union and the United Kingdom have largely lifted their restrictions, the UN Security Council has maintained sanctions against the Tahrir al -Sham delegation that all member states – including the United States – are obliged to comply with.

Some countries, such as Canada, have not yet updated their laws. Until further action is taken, sanctions will continue to overshadow the Syrian economy even after the US restrictions are lifted.

The exemptions issued by the Trump administration, although probably the most extensive in history, do not cover everything. Export restrictions have continued to ban almost all US -made goods from export to Syria, even if only 5 % of the content of the product is of American origin. These exemptions also have no impact on the severe criminal penalties resulting from the presence of Tahrir al -Sham on the list of US terrorist organizations; A factor that is very deterrent to investors and nongovernmental organizations.

“Just exemption is not enough,” Farn Pulse writes. Afghanistan’s experience after the Taliban’s return showed that businesses were afraid of investing in areas with heavy sanctions, even if legal licenses are issued. Banks also often refuse to transfer money to such countries, whether there are permits. In many cases, (investors) are not aware of such permits at all. “

Dozens of additional measures are needed to completely lift sanctions against Syria. Until further steps are taken, no matter what exemptions and permits have been issued, US economic restrictions will remain like a dark cloud over Syria.

On the other hand, the more difficult thing is that even after the lifting of the sanctions, their effects remain. The private sector is reluctant to operate in countries with high risk; Especially if sanctions are likely to be restored. Encouraging trade with Syria, providing guidance and guarantee of authorized activities, as well as US government assistance, can be effective, but such actions require purposeful planning and even Washington funding. If the United States does not take such steps, the deterrent effect of past sanctions may continue for a long time after the rules change.

Despite all the challenges, Trump has a political support. Former US presidents faced serious political barriers to reduce sanctions; But in the case of Syria, Trump has been seriously disregarded by the opposition in the Republican government and the Republican Party. The important point is that many of the Democrats of Congress also accompany him.

In addition, the US media claims that economic activists seem to be higher in Syria. In other countries, companies did not trust Washington’s vague promises, but in the case of Syria, Trump’s decisive commitment and cabinet members – especially accompanying regional countries – can create more confidence in investors.

The lifting of sanctions is not a magical solution for all Syria’s problems. Even if concerns about sanctions are reduced, there will be many problems in Syria; A ruined country that is involved in structural corruption and inefficiency of institutions. The Syrian Central Bank and other financial institutions should increase their transparency and credibility to address foreign banks’ concerns about money laundering and financing terrorism.

However, Trump’s commitment has now created new opportunities. Just hours after the announcement of the lifting of part of the sanctions, the Syrian people saw a decline in fuel prices and the strengthening of the national currency. The Persian Gulf investors proposed infrastructure and communications projects with Damascus. An investment company from the United Arab Emirates also pledged to invest $ 5 million to develop the port of Tartus. At the same time, a prominent law firm in Washington held an event to investigate investment opportunities in Syria.

Optimism over the future has increased with the implementation of exemptions and has led to practical obligations; Including an agreement with four companies, including an American company, to expand the Syrian electricity network.

In the coming months, there may be a wave of regional and international investment, the revival of Syrian relations with the world, and the end of the “rejected country” situation for Damascus; But Trump has to work hard to fulfill his promises. “It is necessary for Trump to use all the US government tools to fulfill these promises,” he writes.

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