Doha – As the dust settles on the historic re-election of Donald Trump as President of the United States, Spain finds itself grappling with a shifting geopolitical landscape in which Morocco has emerged as a key regional ally for Washington.

According to the Spanish newspaper El Confidencial, the strengthening ties between Rabat and Washington have raised concerns in Madrid, with Spanish analysts warning of potential implications for Spain’s own interests and influence in the Mediterranean.

José Antonio Gurpegui, an expert on US-Spain relations, believes that any future disputes between Spain and Morocco will be heavily influenced by the strong alliance between Rabat and Washington.

This sentiment is echoed in a recent analysis published by the Spanish Ministry of Defense’s Center for National Defense Studies (CESEDEN).

The report suggests that while Spain remains an important ally of the US within NATO and hosts the strategically significant Rota naval base, the US has prioritized its relationship with Morocco over Spain as a “regional partner” in the Mediterranean.

The CESEDEN report goes as far as to claim that the US has chosen to strengthen its relations with Morocco, a “non-democratic regime with questionable human rights records,” in exchange for bolstering Israeli security.

However, such characterizations of Morocco are misguided and fail to acknowledge the country’s significant strides in democratic reforms and human rights advancements in recent years.

Morocco’s emergence as a serious military power

Spanish media outlets have recently been expressing concern over Morocco’s growing military capabilities, with some suggesting that the North African country’s rise as a regional power could potentially threaten Spain’s interests.

In April, the Spanish news outlet La Razón described Morocco’s military upgrades in recent years as “unabated,” highlighting the country’s significant investments in arms supplies and cutting-edge technologies.

Beyond the military and security dimensions, Spain is also wary of potential economic repercussions stemming from the Trump administration’s trade policies.

President Trump initiated a trade war with Europe during his previous term, imposing tariffs on various products.

There are concerns that he may continue this protectionist approach, which could negatively impact Spanish exports such as olive oil, table olives, footwear, and pork products.

Strong ties since 1777

King Mohammed VI has warmly congratulated President Trump on his re-election, expressing hope for further consolidating the long-standing friendship and strategic partnership between the two nations.

The monarch emphasized the shared values and common interests that have consistently allowed Morocco and the US to work together across various sectors, positioning their relationship as a driving force for peace, security, and prosperity in the Middle East, Africa, and beyond.

Morocco was the first country to recognize the US in 1777, a testament to the deep historical ties between the two nations.

In December 2020, President Trump made the historic decision to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, a move that Rabat welcomed as a reflection of the unique and special nature of the bilateral relationship.

Since then, Morocco and the US have significantly strengthened their cooperation across various domains, with notable advancements in 2024.

In the military sphere, collaboration between the two nations has expanded considerably. In October 2020, Morocco and the US signed a 10-year Defense Cooperation Roadmap, outlining strategic objectives to enhance military cooperation through 2030.

This roadmap has paved the way for increased joint exercises, such as the annual African Lion military drills. The 20th edition of African Lion, held in May this year, involved approximately 8,100 forces from nearly three dozen countries. In addition, Morocco hosted in August the Arcane Thunder 24 exercise for the first time.

The US also approved a potential sale of Javelin missiles and associated equipment to Morocco in March, valued at $260 million, aimed at bolstering Morocco’s defense capabilities.

Economic and environmental cooperation has also flourished. The US-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which has been effective since 2006, continues to facilitate trade between the two countries. Notably, bilateral trade in goods has grown nearly five-fold since the FTA’s inception.

In March, both nations signed the 2024-2027 Cooperation Action Plan on Environment and Sustainable Development, focusing on environmental laws, endangered species protection, and combating plastic pollution, demonstrating their shared commitment to addressing critical environmental challenges.

Diplomatic engagements between the two countries have remained robust, with high-level visits and consultations taking place regularly.

In October, a US Congress delegation visited Morocco to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and military cooperation.

Morocco hosted the Marrakech Airshow during the same month. The event saw a senior US Air Force delegation engage with Moroccan counterparts, showcase American aircraft, and reaffirm the strong, trust-based relationship between the two nations, further strengthening the strategic partnership rooted in centuries of shared interests.

Moreover, the 13th session of the US-Morocco Defense Consultative Committee, held this past May, addressed regional security challenges and defense modernization, reinforcing the strong strategic dialogue between the two nations.

Last October also saw the US backing Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the UN Security Council extended the mandate of MINURSO, the peacekeeping force in Western Sahara.

Morocco remains committed to working with all its partners, including Spain, to address shared challenges and promote mutual interests in the Mediterranean and beyond.

The kingdom’s deepening ties with the US should not be seen as a zero-sum game but rather as an opportunity for enhanced regional cooperation and stability.