Donald Trump–Ahmed al-Shara Meeting, held on 11 November 2025 at the White House in Washington D.C., the capital of the United States of America, was a high-level diplomatic meeting. This encounter has been recorded as the first official meeting between a Syrian head of state and the President of the United States at the White House.
Ahmed al-Shara’s Washington Engagements
Before the White House meeting, President Ahmed al-Shara held several meetings in Washington D.C. On 11 November 2025, al-Shara met with the Syrian community in the United States, emphasizing the importance of Syrians living abroad maintaining their ties to their homeland.
On the same day, it was reported that al-Shara met in the evening with members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, attended also by Foreign Minister Asad Hasan al-Shaibani. The discussions focused on enhancing economic and investment cooperation between the two countries. Al-Shara highlighted the importance of direct engagement with the business community and stressed the necessity of effectively leveraging the wide range of economic opportunities offered by Syria to both domestic and foreign investors.
During his visit, al-Shara also held a meeting with senior editors of The Washington Post. In this meeting, “regional developments and bilateral relations were discussed in an exchange of views.”
Before the White House meeting, the Syrian President met with Brian Mast, Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, one of the prominent figures in the U.S. Congress. It was stated that the meeting addressed issues relating to Syria’s future, the end of the war, and the fight against extremism.
Al-Shara also met with Republican members of the House of Representatives Joe Wilson and Marlin Stutzman. Following the meeting, Wilson stated in a public comment: “A free, united and prosperous Syria represents the greatest opportunity since the end of the Cold War. We must give Syria a chance and fully lift the Caesar Act sanctions.”
Conduct of the White House Meeting
The meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara took place on 11 November 2025 at the White House and lasted one and a half hours. The White House initially issued no statement regarding the meeting. Numerous topics were discussed, ranging from sanctions against Syria to regional issues.
The meeting marked the first time a Syrian president met with a U.S. president at the White House. After the meeting, al-Shara stepped out of his vehicle at the White House exit to greet Syrians waiting for him.
Key topics raised during the meeting included the suspension of Caesar Act sanctions, Syria’s participation in the International Coalition Against ISIS, the integration of the PKK/YPG structure operating under the name “SDG” into state institutions, economic cooperation, a security agreement between Israel and Syria, and the reconstruction process.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury, in a statement issued on the day of the meeting, stated: “On 11 November, the Secretary of State partially suspended the implementation of the Caesar Act sanctions for a period of 180 days to reaffirm our commitment to further easing sanctions against Syria.” This decision replaced a similar suspension adopted on 23 May 2025.
Statements by U.S. President Donald Trump
Following the meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump made remarks to journalists during a swearing-in ceremony held in the Oval Office. Trump said: “We want Syria to become a very successful country and I believe President al-Shara can achieve this.”
Trump added about al-Shara: “The President of Syria is a very strong leader. He comes from a very difficult region and is a strong man. I get along well with Syria’s new president. We will do everything in our power to ensure their success, because this is part of the Middle East.”
Trump also referred to Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, stating, “He (Shara) gets along very well with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is a great leader. Erdoğan is a great leader. Erdoğan strongly supports what is happening in Syria.”
Following the meeting, the U.S. President shared on his social media platform Truth Social: “Spending time with Shara was an honor,” and noted that during the talks “details of peace in the Middle East were discussed and Shara expressed support for them.”
Ahmed Shara’s Assessments
Following his meeting at the White House, Syrian President Ahmed Shara provided an interview with Fox News, offering his evaluation of the discussions. Shara stated, “We spoke with Trump about the future,” explaining that one of the main topics of the meeting was strategic cooperation regarding Syria’s future.
In response to a question regarding his past association with Al-Qaeda, Shara said, “I believe this is a matter of the past. We did not discuss it with President Trump. We spoke with Trump about the future. We discussed investment opportunities in Syria’s future. Syria is now seen as a geopolitical ally and a place where the United States, particularly regarding gas extraction, can make major investments.”
Shara also addressed Syria’s process of joining the Counter-ISIS Coalition, stating, “There are reasons for the presence of the U.S. military in Syria, and it must now coordinate with the Syrian government. Therefore, we must discuss these issues, talk with the United States about combating ISIS, and reach an agreement.”
Regarding Israel-Syria relations, he replied, “Syria shares a border with Israel, and Israel has occupied the Golan Heights since 1967. We will not enter into direct negotiations with Israel at this time, but perhaps President Trump could assist in facilitating such talks.”
Speaking about Bashar al-Assad, Shara said, “Russia has, in some way, participated in war against the Syrian people. Therefore, as part of negotiations with Syria, all wanted individuals, including Bashar al-Assad, must be handed over to Syria.”
Diplomatic and Economic Outcomes
Suspension of Caesar Act Sanctions
On 10 November 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued a written statement announcing the partial suspension of sanctions under the Syria Caesar Civilian Protection Act for 180 days. The statement read, “The Secretary of State partially suspended the implementation of Caesar Act sanctions for 180 days on 10 November to reaffirm our commitment to further easing sanctions on Syria.”
This decision renewed a similar suspension adopted on 23 May 2025. The statement further clarified that “transactions involving Russia and Iran, as well as the transfer of goods, technology, software, funds, financing, or services originating from these countries, remain excluded from these exemptions.”
On the same day, the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued a second announcement stating, “The lifting of U.S. sanctions will support Syria’s efforts to rebuild its economy, ensure prosperity for all its citizens including ethnic and religious minorities, and combat terrorism.”
The statement also included Trump’s words: “We are fulfilling our commitment to give Syria a chance to achieve greatness and to allow its reconstruction and development by lifting U.S. sanctions and holding harmful actors accountable.”
Syria’s Participation in the Counter-ISIS Coalition
Several hours after the meeting at the White House, a senior U.S. official confirmed to Associated Press and AFP that Syria would join the Global Counter-ISIS Coalition. The official stated, “Syria has officially confirmed its participation in the global coalition against the armed group ISIS, becoming the 90th member of the coalition.” BBC sources also reported, “According to a senior Trump administration official, Syria will join the international coalition fighting the Islamic State group, signaling a shift in U.S. Middle East policy.”
In the same source, it was stated that the U.S. administration would take new economic steps following Syria’s participation in the coalition, with the phrase: “The U.S. Department of the Treasury, in coordination with the State and Commerce Departments, will announce new measures to lift economic restrictions on Syria and provide clarity for investors.”
Syria’s Minister of Information, Hamza Mustafa, told state television Al-Ikhbariya that the conversation between Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara and Trump took place “in a sincere, open and forward-looking atmosphere.” Mustafa added: “Syria has signed a political cooperation declaration with the International Coalition, which aimed at defeating ISIS. This declaration underscores Syria’s role as a partner in combating terrorism and supporting regional stability. At this stage, the agreement is entirely political and contains no military elements.”
Economic and Security Cooperation
In a statement issued by Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was emphasized that “President Shara’s visit to the White House with Foreign Minister Asad Hasan Shaybani marked the first such visit in history,” and that the meeting took place “in a sincere and constructive atmosphere.” The statement noted that Trump affirmed “the United States is ready to provide the necessary support for Syria’s reconstruction and development process.”
The same statement reported that a working meeting was held between the foreign ministers of Syria, the United States and Türkiye, lasting “more than an hour,” and that an agreement was reached on establishing clear mechanisms for the integration of the SDG/PKK-YPG into the Damascus administration.
The ministry’s statement included the phrase: “As part of the process of institutional integration and strengthening national security, steps will be taken to integrate the Syrian Democratic Forces into the Syrian Arab Army.” It was also noted that the U.S. side expressed support for “a security agreement between Syria and Israel aimed at enhancing regional stability,” and that Trump affirmed “his support for development and investment initiatives in Syria in the economic field.”
Türkiye’s Participation and Trilateral Talks
Hakan Fidan’s Participation
Türkiye’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan, was invited to part of the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara at the White House during his visit to Washington. Fidan told reporters that “President Shara met with Trump and his team, and I was also invited to part of the discussion.”
Fidan stated that he conveyed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s greetings and good wishes to Trump. Following the meeting, Fidan reported holding an extended discussion with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Syrian Foreign Minister Asad Hasan Shaybani, Trump’s Special Representative for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and U.S. Special Representative for Syria Tom Barrack. It was later noted that U.S. Vice President JD Vance also joined the meeting.
Fidan said the discussions addressed “problem areas in southern, northern and other parts of Syria, work related to the Caesar Act, and the territorial integrity of the country.” Fidan emphasized that Türkiye’s general position was clearly articulated during the talks, highlighting “the importance of the complete removal of the Caesar Act.”
Trilateral Talk (U.S.–Türkiye–Syria)
A trilateral meeting was held between the foreign ministers of Türkiye, the United States and Syria: Hakan Fidan, Marco Rubio and Asad Hasan Shaybani. Fidan stated that they “discussed the perspectives of the three countries and how they could improve cooperation.”
The meeting covered topics such as national unity, regional security, the situation in northern Syria, the fight against ISIS, and the future of the SDG. Fidan said: “Whether in the north, northeast or south, if these problems are not carefully managed, there is a risk of serious challenges to the country’s overall integrity and territorial unity. In other words, the country risks further fragmentation.”
Fidan noted that the United States understood this situation and emphasized the importance of preserving Syria’s unity. During the same meeting, it was also raised that “Syria must remain one and whole, while ensuring the personal and property security of all citizens and preventing any ethnic or religious group from facing pressure at this stage.”
Fidan stated that the U.S. side demonstrated a “constructive” approach to resolving issues in Syria and explained that the talks were significant in achieving progress on “national unity and the permanent lifting of the Caesar Act.”
In a statement issued after the meeting by U.S. Department of State Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, it was said: “Secretary of State Marco Rubio met today with Türkiye’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan to discuss the ceasefire in Gaza and steps to ensure stability in the region. The ministers reaffirmed their support for efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace.”
