Spanish Media Laments as Trump Prioritizes Morocco Over Madrid in First Week

Doha – Spanish media outlets are voicing mounting alarm as President Donald Trump’s administration appears to be sidelining Spain in favor of Morocco during its first diplomatic engagements of his new term.

The development mirrors similar patterns from Trump’s first presidency, pointing out what Spanish newspapers characterize as a decisive shift in US regional priorities.

El Mundo reports that neither Trump nor his officials have engaged with their Spanish counterparts in the week following his inauguration, despite holding discussions with multiple European nations and Morocco.

“The best example of the lack of rapport is that, just as in his first term, after a week neither the US president nor his ministers have yet spoken with their Spanish counterparts,” the newspaper notes.

In complete contrast to this diplomatic silence with Madrid, Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita and newly appointed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone call on Monday, discussing bilateral ties and reaffirming their commitment to strengthen cooperation at all levels.

During the call, the State Department revealed that both diplomats explored ways to advance “regional and global peace and security under King Mohammed VI’s leadership.” The discussion also covered the situation in Gaza and humanitarian aid efforts.

According to El Mundo’s Washington correspondent Pablo R. Suanzes, Secretary Rubio has already held conversations with foreign ministers from the Baltic states, Poland, Hungary, Italy, France, and Germany, while showing “no interest in the Iberian peninsula, although there is interest in Rabat.”

The situation appears particularly curious given Rubio’s Cuban heritage and Spanish language abilities. El Mundo points out that while Rubio has communicated with Edmundo González, who sought refuge in Spain, he has yet to engage with current Spanish officials.

To date, Rubio has spoken or met with 34 presidents, prime ministers, or foreign ministers, with his first state visit planned for Latin and Central America.

On his inauguration day, January 20, Trump addressed Spain from the Oval Office, criticizing what he called a “very low” security investment.

However, the Spanish media noted his apparent confusion when he incorrectly identified Spain as a BRICS member, threatening tariffs of up to 100% for members of that group.

Outlet La Vanguardia contextualizes the situation within broader US-Morocco relations, describing Rabat’s optimistic outlook for Trump’s return.

The newspaper quotes Moroccan weekly Maroc Hebdo’s characterization of Trump’s return, with the expectation of “diplomatic support strengthening, development project promotion for the Sahara… and intensification of initiatives aimed at UN Security Council recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara.”

Trump, Spain’s rocky relationship

The strained relationship between Trump and Spain dates back to his first term. El Mundo recalls a particularly tense NATO summit in Brussels in summer 2018, shortly after Pedro Sánchez became Prime Minister through a no-confidence vote.

During that meeting, Trump reportedly confronted Sánchez directly over Spain’s defense spending rankings, creating what Spanish officials described as a moment of “total stupefaction.”

The coverage accentuates Morocco’s strengthened position during the Trumpian era. As reported by La Vanguardia, Rabat anticipates several key developments, including potential US classification of the Polisario Front as a terrorist organization and the opening of a US consulate in Dakhla.

Moroccan Ambassador to the US Youssef Amrani was quoted as seeing “immense opportunities to expand bilateral relations in key areas such as security and economy.”

Spanish media outlets express particular concern about the military implications of fortified US-Morocco ties. The Spanish edition of Huffington Post characterizes Morocco’s growing military position, backed by US support, as a “source of concern for Spain.”

However, as noted in the coverage, some analysts suggest the US maintains interest in positive Spanish-Moroccan relations, citing historical precedent such as Colin Powell’s mediation during the Perejil Island conflict.

The shared commitment to hosting the 2030 World Cup between Morocco, Spain, and Portugal is also highlighted as a potential stabilizing factor in regional relations.

Across Spanish media outlets, there is a deepening sense of a seismic shift in regional dynamics, as Spain’s long-standing diplomatic primacy appears to be giving way to Morocco’s ascendance in US strategic priorities for the Mediterranean and North Africa.

This shift is further evidenced by the robust US-Morocco trade relationship, which has seen remarkable growth since the Free Trade Agreement was implemented, with bilateral trade quadrupling from $1.34 billion in 2006 to $5.44 billion in 2018.

As El Mundo concludes, Spain appears to face the prospect of “weathering the next four years without major upheavals or dramas, relying on historical ties, military bases in our country, and little else.”