Moroccan King commits to bolstering US ties
Morocco's King Mohammed VI has reaffirmed his country's commitment to bolstering US defence and economic ties.
US-Moroccan ties look set to flourish as Morocco’s King Mohammed VI sent US President Donald Trump a celebratory message to mark 250 years of US independence, according to the pro-Moroccan North Africa Post and agencies on July 4th.
“Morocco, the first State to recognise the independence of the [USA], holds this distinguished and unique relationship in high esteem,” the monarch said.
He added that these ties, founded on values of friendship and loyalty, “have never been as rich and fruitful”, highlighting America’s support for Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara, which he said “will remain etched in the memory of Moroccans from generation to generation…”
King Mohammed also praised trade and economic relations, which he claims “have never been so strong.”
The US is among 130 nations backing the Moroccan Autonomy Plan, under which the Western Sahara would be granted limited self-governance under Moroccan control.
US support for Moroccan sovereignty was first expressed in 2020, the same year that Morocco signed the US-brokered Abraham Accords to normalise Arab-Israeli relations.
On June 22nd, it was reported that US-Moroccan military ties would deepen under a 2026 to 2036 roadmap, which emphasised drone warfare, artificial intelligence and deeper operational integration.
Military cooperation between Rabat and Washington has persisted for decades; Lockheed Martin, a US defence contractor, began its long-standing partnership with Morocco in 1974 by delivering the C-130H Hercules tactical airlifter to the Royal Moroccan Air Force.
In March 2025, Morocco purchased 24 AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters from Boeing as part of a $1.5 billion deal.
Both nations have participated in the African Lion military training exercise since 2007, which is designed to enhance military ties across land, sea, air, and special operations.
According to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Morocco is America’s “top African military partner.”
SIPRI data indicates that Morocco is Africa’s largest arms importer, with the US accounting for 60% of Morocco’s arms imports; Morocco also maintains defence ties with countries including France, Israel, India and Indonesia.
Maghrebi has contacted President Trump for comment on King Mohammed’s commitment to bolstering US-Israeli ties, but has not received a response at the time of publication.
North Africa Post and agencies, Maghrebi.org
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