Many have started to question how the Trump administration will approach relations with Morocco and Algeria, considering what happened during his first term. Some have predicted that he might grow closer to Morocco while distancing himself from Algeria. However, a French magazine has shed light on the likely dynamics of this relationship.
In an article, in a French magazine, noted that between Morocco’s friendship, Algeria’s skepticism, and Tunisia’s indifference, there are currently few signs indicating that the new U.S. administration under Donald Trump will drastically change its stance.
The article goes on to mention that it was a mere coincidence that Trump’s victory in the 2020 U.S. presidential election coincided with the 49th anniversary of the Green March, when 350,000 Moroccans marched to reclaim the Western Sahara from Spanish colonial rule, answering the call of the late King Hassan II. Furthermore, on December 20, 2020, under Trump’s presidency, the United States officially recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara. This recognition was marked by the U.S. ambassador in Rabat visiting the city of Dakhla, a strategic new center for Morocco on the Atlantic coast of the Sahara.
However, the arrival of Democrat Joe Biden in the White House resulted in the freezing of this project, even though his administration never reversed Trump’s decision, which had a domino effect. It led to greater support from several European countries for Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara, including Germany, Spain, and recently France. Jeune Afrique pointed out that this is why Morocco, along with part of the public opinion, supports Trump’s return to the White House, viewing him as a “key ally.”
King Mohammed VI of Morocco sent a congratulatory message to Donald Trump on the same day he was elected, in which he reminded Trump of the U.S. recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara and called it “an unforgettable act for which the Moroccan people will forever be grateful.” According to the King, the two countries “share a historic alliance and strategic partnership that has stood the test of time.” This relationship is a “driving force for peace, security, and prosperity in the Middle East and Africa.” In the face of growing regional and global challenges, King Mohammed VI promised that Morocco would remain, “more than ever, a true friend and loyal ally of the United States.” The kingdom might also rely on the eventual opening of the U.S. consulate in Dakhla, as well as a renewed push from Donald Trump to solidify the international stance on the Sahara issue.
However, according to many observers, Trump’s victory is also seen as a win for Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister. Trump, a staunch supporter of Netanyahu and “the worst nightmare” for Iran, has never made any positive remarks about the Palestinian people. If Trump continues to support Israel’s war crimes in Gaza and elsewhere, it could undermine the diplomatic balance Morocco has carefully maintained in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to Jeune Afrique. Moreover, Morocco has become a strategic destination for Chinese manufacturers, especially in the electric vehicle sector. Jeune Afrique noted that Trump, an outspoken advocate for an economic war against Beijing, is unlikely to view this development positively.
The article also notes that Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune sent a much more subdued congratulatory message to the newly elected U.S. president, wishing him “health and happiness in fulfilling his high responsibilities.” In reality, relations between Algeria and Washington have been limited to security cooperation. During Trump’s first term, no senior U.S. official even visited Algeria. Jeune Afrique strongly suggests that in his second term, Trump will likely favor Rabat over Algiers, especially given that Republican Senator Marco Rubio is one of the three potential candidates to become the U.S. Secretary of State. Rubio had already singled out Algeria in 2022, urging the Biden administration to impose sanctions on the country, and even the mere mention of his name tends to strain U.S.-Algerian relations.
