US Chamber of Commerce Backs Repealing Syria Sanctions Law
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce told lawmakers Oct 21 that it supports bipartisan legislation to repeal the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, a 2019 law that was aimed at the then-Bashar Assad regime.
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In a letter to leaders of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the Chamber said that ending the Caesar Act would provide the “clarity and predictability” that U.S. firms need to start doing business in Syria. Although the Trump administration has eased Syria sanctions through executive action (see 2506300055), such temporary steps do not provide the certainty needed for long-term investment and planning, according to the letter, which Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., posted on X.
The “ambiguity surrounding the Caesar Act’s future leaves U.S. firms at a competitive disadvantage compared to our global competitors,” says the letter, signed by John Murphy, senior vice president and head of international at the Chamber. “Without full repeal, American companies will continue to be sidelined while others shape the future of the Syrian economy.”
Wilson introduced a bill to repeal the Caesar Act in June (see 2506130057). A similar proposal is included in the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act that the Senate passed Oct. 9 (see 2510100015).