Moroccan-American Relations: Perennial Partnership in Peace

In a world of acrimony, violence, and mistrust, it is refreshing to report on what many would consider to be an unlikely bilateral friendship based on the contemporary geopolitical scene. Yet, Morocco is one of the United States’ oldest allies. Literally.
It was one of the first states to seek diplomatic relations with the newly independent nation in 1777, when Sultan Sidi Muhammad Ben Abdullah— the ruler of Morocco at the time—announced his desire to establish peaceful relations with Christian powers and to give impetus to trade. On December 20 of that year, Morocco publicly acknowledged the independence of the American Republic.
In 1786, Thomas Barclay, American Consul in Paris, and Morocco, signed the Treaty of Friendship and Amity. Binding for 50 years, it was also known as the Treaty of Marrakech, and was later signed by President Thomas Jefferson and ratified by Congress the following year. It marked the first treaty between any Arab, Muslim, or African State and the U.S., and enabled the U.S. to acquire “most favored nation” status along the Moroccan coast, an obvious boon to its shipping industry.
Ten years later, the U.S. established a consulate in Morocco. Then, in 1821, Sultan Moulay Souleiman gifted the U.S. one of the most beautiful buildings in Tangier to house its consulate, and is actually the oldest piece of property owned by the U.S. abroad. The Sultan expressed his high regard for the U.S. by ordering and permitting free trade with all Americans, a harbinger of the U.S. Morocco Free Trade Agreement of 2006.
Around the turn of the 20th century, the U.S. reaffirmed its “open door policy,” advocating the maintenance of order and guarantees of religious and racial toleration in Morocco.
At the start of World War II and to pre-empt the invasion of North Africa by Axis forces, the U.S. and its allies landed in Northwest Africa. In response to this occupation, Sultan Mohammed V asserted that while Morocco was duty bound to protect itself, once the cessation of hostilities had been ordered and the commanders of (American) troops affirmed they did not come as conquerors but as liberators, they could rest assured that they found in Morocco only friends.
President Roosevelt came to Casablanca in 1943 and gave credibility to Moroccan aspirations for total sovereignty at a dinner party hosted by the Sultan Mohammed V. Discussions surrounding the Anfa Conference focused on Morocco’s natural resources, potential development, and vast untapped wealth.
In 1956, President Eisenhower congratulated the newly independent nation in wishing for peace and prosperity for Morocco; while in return, the Sultan affirmed that the Friendship Treaty would continue to be honored, while stating his nation’s support of a coherent policy against the communist threat.
2004 saw the U.S. designation of Morocco as a Major Non-NATO Ally, stating that it was in recognition of its efforts to combat international terrorism. As one of the first Arab and Islamic states to denounce the 9/11 terror attacks, Morocco has demonstrated a zero-tolerance policy toward Al-Qaeda on countless occasions.
On a different note, the U.S. Morocco Free Trade Agreement, signed by George W. Bush, dominated headlines later that year, and became effective at the start of 2006. This bilateral trade pact was intended to increase trade and create new investment opportunities between Morocco and the United States. From the perspective of the U.S., it was a prized opportunity to attain access to an emerging market with abundant natural resources. In fact, in the words of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the agreement provided a framework for the “best market access package to date of any U.S. free trade agreement signed with a developing country.”
The watershed moment of this special partnership was the Abraham Accords of 2020, in which Morocco announced its resumption of ties with Israel, transpiring concurrently with the American recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara.
Since King Mohammed VI acceded to the throne now almost a quarter-century ago, Morocco has undergone a major socioeconomic transformation—combining substantial liberalization of social policy changes with ambitious economic undertakings that have sustained relative tranquility in an otherwise tumultuous region.
Forbes magazine asserts, “All this would not have been possible without His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s relentless pursuit of the vision he had since he was enthroned.”
There is no doubt that The United States has supported this vision, and that the two nations have prospered in countless ways from their partnerships on so many levels.