US President Donald Trump has extended his gratitude to King Mohammed VI of Morocco after the North African country named a major new highway in his name. The president further said that he looked forward to traveling the entire length of this great highway someday, hopefully soon. The highway stretches 1,055 kilometers from the Tiznit to Dakhla, a city in the disputed territory of Western Sahara.
“Thank you to Highly Respected Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco — such a great honor,” Trump said in a message posted on his Truth Social Account on X. He further said, he looked forward to travelling the entire length of this highway someday, hopefully soon.
The move has been, the decision was taken to strengthen the ties between Washington and Rabat. Morocco has the longest unbroken treaty of friendship in U.S. history dating back to 1786. The relations between Morocco and USA entered a new phase in December 2020 when Trump issued a proclamation recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara after Morocco agreed to normalize relations with Israel. Western Sahara is the key issue in North African diplomacy.
“Thank you to Highly Respected Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco — Such a Great Honor! I look forward to traveling the entire length of this Great Highway someday, hopefully soon! President DONALD J. TRUMP” pic.twitter.com/WSYZoGFxzB
— Department of State (@StateDept) July 26, 2026
Morocco has proposed broad autonomy for the territory under its sovereignty, while the Polisario Front continues to seek a referendum in self-determination, a position supported by Algeria. USA envoy Steve Bitterkopf said in October said that his team is working towards a mediated settlement between Morocco and Algeria.
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The UN Security Council recently adopted a U.S.-backed resolution supporting Morocco’s autonomy proposal. The dispute over Western Sahara dates to 1975 when Spain ended its colonial rule of the territory. It escalated into armed conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front until a 1991 ceasefire.
Morocco was the first nation to recognize USA after its independence in 1777. Morocco opened its ports to American merchant ships in 1777, officially recognizing the young United States. Both nations signed the Moroccan American Treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1786 (ratified in 1787), which remains the oldest unbroken treaty relationship for the U.S.
Morocco had also hosted the pivotal 1943 Anfa Conference in Casablanca, where Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill mapped out Allied strategy.
