From the Middle East perspective, what caught the eye in Trump's announcement last night about the new tariff regime is the fact that Syria was hit with the highest rate – 41%.
This is a somewhat strange move since in recent weeks it seemed that the Trump administration was doing everything it could to give the Syrian regime a chance to revive the country economically. As part of this, most of the sanctions imposed on Syria during Assad's regime were removed.
To put it in proportion, Syrian exports to the US are marginal at best and last year amounted to only $11 million, mainly agricultural products. So what is behind the American move?
It seems to be a step mainly intended to increase pressure on the al-Saraa regime economically and to place the US in a position of advantage compared to other countries ahead of future economic agreements and control over resources and assets in Syria.