Trump Trades Syria's Future for Ukraine Peace—And a Tower
President dangles sanctions relief as Turkey mediates talks while Trump Organization eyes Damascus development
Donald Trump revealed Monday he might lift Syria sanctions if Turkey successfully mediates Ukraine-Russia peace talks. The announcement came hours after Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed "possible talks" between the warring parties in Turkey.
"We may take them off of Syria, because we want to give them a fresh start," Trump told reporters. "Many people have asked me about that, because the way we have them sanctioned, it doesn't really give them much of a start."
The Ukraine-Syria linkage exposes Trump's transactional approach: Turkey delivers peace talks, Syria gets economic relief, and Trump claims diplomatic victory. But sources confirm Trump Organization representatives have quietly explored Syrian development opportunities, including a potential Trump Tower Damascus.
The Tower That Shadows Damascus
Syria's sanctions have isolated the war-torn nation from global financial systems for over a decade. Lifting them unlocks billions in reconstruction opportunities. For a president whose family built an empire through international real estate, Syria represents untapped territory.
Multiple sources confirm preliminary discussions about Syrian developments. While details remain vague, the pattern is familiar: diplomatic engagement coincides with Trump family business interests.
The constitutional implications are clear. Trump would use presidential power to create potential business opportunities for his organization while framing the decision as humanitarian relief. The emoluments clause prohibits presidents from receiving foreign government benefits, but Trump's sanctions policy could indirectly enrich his family through future Syrian projects.
Turkey's Strategic Play
President Erdogan positioned Turkey as Ukraine-Russia mediator. His call to Trump about Syria sanctions reveals the deeper game: Turkey reshapes Middle Eastern dynamics while securing economic partnerships.
Turkey already has significant Syrian business interests, particularly in the north where Turkish companies invested heavily in reconstruction. Lifting U.S. sanctions would legitimize and expand these relationships, creating opportunities for American firms—including those connected to Trump.
The Ukraine Dividend
A Ukraine peace deal would validate Trump's campaign promise to end the war quickly. Using Turkey as mediator distances Trump from direct Putin negotiations while still claiming credit for peace.
The Syria sanctions carrot gives Turkey real incentive to deliver. Erdogan understands that Syrian reconstruction opportunities benefit Turkish companies and cement regional influence.
Constitutional Concerns
This Syria-Ukraine trade represents another example of Trump conflating personal business with presidential duties. Combined with his cryptocurrency empire's foreign government connections, Syrian developments add another layer of conflict.
Trump's casual mention that "many people" asked about Syria sanctions suggests conversations beyond official diplomatic channels. When the president trades sanctions relief—a powerful foreign policy tool—for diplomatic victories, questions arise about whether decisions benefit America or Trump's brand.
Bottom Line
Trump's Syria gambit reveals his presidency's defining characteristic: everything is negotiable if it benefits Donald Trump. Ukraine's future becomes leverage for Syria's reconstruction while Trump Organization explores business opportunities behind diplomatic scenes.
Whether Turkey successfully mediates remains uncertain. What's clear is Trump consistently aligns foreign policy decisions with potential business benefits. The Syria sanctions trade continues this pattern—every major diplomatic move creates opportunities for Trump family enterprises.
The constitutional violation is basic: presidents shouldn't use foreign policy to create business opportunities. But Trump normalized this through cryptocurrency deals, golf course diplomacy, and now potential Syrian developments.
Congress could provide oversight, but Republican enablement continues. Meanwhile, America's credibility erodes with each transaction prioritizing Trump family profit over national interest.
The Syria-Ukraine connection might produce peace talks, but it will certainly produce more constitutional crises. When everything has a price in Trump's foreign policy, democracy itself becomes a commodity.
