As the first country in the world to recognize U.S. independence… Washington hails Morocco’s pioneering role and underscores an exceptional historic friendship

ALDAR / Meryem Hafiani

In a message described as a reflection of the depth of bilateral ties, the U.S. Department of State published, via its official account on the X platform, a post paying tribute to the pioneering role of the Kingdom of Morocco as the first country in the world to recognize the independence of the United States in 1777. This recognition laid the foundations of an exceptional relationship, enshrined by the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1786, the oldest agreement still in force in American diplomatic history.

The Department of State emphasized that this unique friendship was not confined to its historical dimension, but has continuously developed up to the present day through solid and diverse partnerships. It recalled that the American Legation in Tangier, gifted by Morocco to the United States, remains an enduring symbol of this relationship that has lasted for more than two centuries.

This reminder comes in a context marked by the strengthening of strategic cooperation between the two countries, with Morocco establishing itself as a key ally of Washington in the fields of security and defense, notably through the organization of the “African Lion” military exercises, as well as through deepened cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.

On the economic front, Morocco remains the only African country linked to the United States by a free trade agreement, which has encouraged increased investment, particularly in industrial sectors and renewable energies.

It is also worth recalling the pivotal moment of 2020, when the U.S. administration announced its recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Southern Provinces, a strategic decision that consolidated Rabat’s position as a reliable partner of Washington in the region.

According to observers, the Department of State’s commemoration of this legacy is not merely a symbolic reminder, but a clear political message: Moroccan-American relations go beyond traditional diplomacy to become a fundamental pillar of regional stability, while the partnership between the two nations continues to evolve to meet the challenges of the future.