A Strategic Visit Reflecting Morocco’s Regional Influence: Nasser Bourita Becomes the First Maghreb Official to Meet the New Trump Administration
ALDAR /Analysis
In a visit that underscores the depth of Moroccan-American relations and the strength of the partnership between Rabat and Washington, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita is undertaking an official visit to the United States — the first of its kind since the new U.S. administration under President Donald Trump took office.
This visit follows a phone call between the Moroccan minister and his American counterpart, Marco Rubio, on January 27, 2025, paving the way for this high-level meeting that reflects Morocco’s special status in U.S. foreign policy considerations.
Bourita is the first foreign minister from the Maghreb region to be invited to Washington by the new Trump administration, a gesture that highlights the high regard in which the Kingdom is held, thanks to the vision and leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, positioning Morocco as a stable and active state in a region beset by crises and conflicts.
The visit takes on added significance as it precedes the presentation of the UN Secretary-General’s report to the Security Council on the Moroccan Sahara issue, scheduled for April 14. It also comes at a time when Algeria is stepping up its lobbying efforts in Washington, especially in the fields of defense, energy, and agriculture.
In this context, the visit reaffirms the strategic and historic partnership between Morocco and the United States, particularly after the American recognition, on December 10, 2020, of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara — a decision that marked a turning point in bilateral relations.
Washington not only recognized Morocco’s sovereignty but also strongly supports the Kingdom’s autonomy initiative as a serious and realistic solution to the fabricated dispute over the Sahara, reflecting a convergence of views between the two nations on several regional and international issues.
Moroccan-American relations also encompass defense and trade. Since 2004, Morocco has been designated a Major Non-NATO Ally and is the largest African importer of U.S. military equipment. The Kingdom also hosts the annual joint military exercises “African Lion,” the largest of their kind on the continent, with participation from over twenty countries, including NATO members.
Economically, the United States is Morocco’s third-largest trading partner, and the two countries are bound by a free trade agreement — the only one of its kind between Washington and an African nation. Since the agreement came into effect in 2006, trade between the two countries has increased sixfold, reaching approximately 73 billion dirhams (7.2 billion dollars) in 2023.
Beyond the bilateral dimension, Morocco plays an active role in peacekeeping and conflict resolution efforts in various regions, further strengthening its image as a reliable international actor and a committed partner to global peace and security.
