Morocco Names Strategic 1,055-Kilometer Expressway the 'President Donald J. Trump Highway'
Morocco Names Strategic 1,055-Kilometer Expressway the 'President Donald J. Trump Highway'
NEWSOTHER NEWS
8/1/20262 min read
Morocco Names Strategic 1,055-Kilometer Expressway the 'President Donald J. Trump Highway'
RABAT / WASHINGTON — In a major diplomatic gesture underscoring the deepening partnership between Washington and Rabat, Morocco has officially named its newly completed Tiznit-Dakhla Expressway the "President Donald J. Trump Highway."
The decision, made by King Mohammed VI, honors U.S. President Donald J. Trump for his administration's historic recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara during his first term in December 2020.
Responding to the announcement, President Trump posted on his Truth Social platform to express his appreciation to the Moroccan monarch and signal his desire to visit the North African kingdom to see the monumental project firsthand.
Trump Reacts on Truth Social
Posting to his followers on Truth Social, President Trump shared a promotional video showcasing the sweeping desert expressway and thanked the Moroccan monarch for the recognition.
"Thank you to Highly Respected Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco — Such a Great Honor!" Trump wrote. "I look forward to traveling the entire length of this Great Highway someday, hopefully soon!"
The video accompanying the post highlighted the historical roots of American-Moroccan relations, noting that Morocco was the first nation to recognize United States independence in 1777, followed by the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1786—the oldest continuously valid diplomatic treaty in U.S. history.
A $1 Billion Mega-Project Connecting North and West Africa
Stretching 1,055 kilometers (approx. 655 miles) from the southern city of Tiznit down to the coastal city of Dakhla, the $1 billion (roughly 10 billion Moroccan dirhams) infrastructure project is one of the largest road developments ever undertaken in Africa.
Key Highlights of the Expressway:
Route Coverage: Connects major urban and economic centers including Tiznit, Guelmim, Tan-Tan, Laâyoune, Boujdour, and Dakhla.
Economic Objective: Improves road safety, drastically cuts transit times, and enhances logistical links between northern Morocco, its southern provinces, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Strategic Gateway: Serves as a vital land corridor connecting Europe and West Africa, while granting landlocked Sahel nations access to the Atlantic Ocean via the forthcoming Dakhla Atlantic Port.
In a formal letter to President Trump, King Mohammed VI noted that the expressway is "a strategic axis of prime importance" that "unifies our country, in much the same way your leadership has brought our two nations closer to each other in unprecedented ways."
Strategic and Diplomatic Context
The tribute comes as bilateral relations between Washington and Rabat reach new heights across defense, trade, and regional security.
U.S.-MOROCCO DIPLOMATIC TIMELINE
1777 1786 2020 2026
| | | |
Morocco recognizes Treaty of Peace U.S. Recognizes Tiznit-Dakhla
U.S. Independence & Friendship Signed Moroccan Sovereignty Expressway Named
(Oldest active treaty) over Western Sahara 'Donald J. Trump Hwy'
Key Pillars of the Partnership:
Sovereignty Recognition: In December 2020, the U.S. officially recognized Morocco's full sovereignty over Western Sahara and endorsed Rabat's autonomy proposal as the sole framework for a peaceful resolution.
Economic & Defense Ties: As a Major Non-NATO Ally, Morocco hosts African Lion—the largest U.S.-led military exercise on the African continent—and remains the only African nation with a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States.
Regional Integration: The naming of the highway highlights Morocco's strategy to anchor itself as an economic hub bridging Europe, North America, and West Africa.
Looking Ahead
With the "President Donald J. Trump Highway" near full operational readiness, regional officials anticipate a major boost in tourism, trade logistics, and foreign direct investment in Morocco's southern provinces.
While no official date has been confirmed for a presidential visit, President Trump’s public statement that he hopes to travel the route "hopefully soon" signals that North Africa could be a prominent stop on future international itineraries.