Trump Tower in Damascus part of Syria's bid to ease US sanctions: Sources

Syria’s leadership is reportedly seeking a meeting between President Ahmed al-al-Sharaa and US President Donald Trump during the latter’s Middle East visit this week.

According to a report published on Reuters, the initiative includes proposals for economic cooperation, regional peace efforts, and even the possibility of building a Trump Tower in Damascus.

Jonathan Bass, a pro-Trump American activist, spent four hours with al-Sharaa in Damascus on April 30. Supported by Syrian officials and Gulf Arab states, Bass is working to arrange a meeting between the two leaders during Trump’s visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, according to Reuters. 

Syria remains under significant US sanctions that restrict its access to the global financial system and impede economic recovery after years of conflict. The country has not yet met Washington’s conditions for easing these sanctions, which include removing foreign fighters from key military roles.

Bass stated that al-al-Sharaa is interested in future business opportunities, regional energy collaboration, efforts against Iran, and diplomatic engagement with 'Israel'. According to Bass, al-al-Sharaa believes that a comprehensive deal could benefit Syria, 'Israel', and the wider region, noting that both he and Trump have a personal history of surviving assassination attempts.

The Syrian presidency did not immediately comment on the proposal, though it confirmed that al-Sharaa recently held a call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. A source close to al-Sharaa indicated that a meeting with Trump remains a possibility during his visit, albeit unconfirmed.

High-level discussions between Syrian and US officials are also expected during the week, although a direct meeting between Trump and al-Sharaa appears unlikely due to scheduling constraints and differing priorities within the US administration.