Washington: US President Donald Trump has thanked Morocco’s King Mohammed VI after a newly built 1,055-km (655-mile) highway linking Tiznit and Dakhla was named in his honour. Trump described the gesture as a “great honour” and said he hoped to travel the entire length of the highway “someday, hopefully soon.”
The highway stretches along Morocco’s Atlantic coast and reaches Dakhla in the disputed territory of Western Sahara, making the announcement significant not only as a diplomatic gesture but also because of the region’s long-standing political status.
Trump thanks King Mohammed VI
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump expressed gratitude to King Mohammed VI for naming the highway after him.
“Thank you to Highly Respected Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco — such a great honour,” Trump wrote, adding that he looked forward to travelling the full route in the future. The post included a promotional video referring to the roadway as the “President Donald J. Trump Highway.”
Strategic highway links Tiznit and Dakhla
The highway extends approximately 1,055 kilometres (655 miles) from Tiznit in southern Morocco to Dakhla, passing through several coastal cities.
The route is considered strategically important for Morocco as it improves connectivity with the country’s southern provinces and supports trade, tourism and infrastructure development. It also forms part of Morocco’s broader efforts to strengthen transport links with West Africa.
Why the announcement is significant
The highway passes through Western Sahara, a territory whose sovereignty remains disputed internationally.
Morocco controls most of the territory and considers it part of the kingdom, while the Polisario Front seeks independence for the region. The United Nations continues to classify Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory with an unresolved political status.
Trump’s first administration recognised Morocco’s sovereignty claim over Western Sahara in 2020, a position that has remained a key aspect of US-Morocco relations.
Strengthening US-Morocco ties
The naming of the highway is being viewed as another symbolic gesture reflecting the close relationship between Washington and Rabat.
Morocco has been one of the United States’ oldest diplomatic partners, and bilateral cooperation spans defence, trade and regional security. The recognition of the highway also highlights the continuing warmth between Trump and Morocco’s leadership.
Conclusion
Donald Trump’s acknowledgement of the newly named President Donald J. Trump Highway underscores the strong diplomatic ties between the United States and Morocco. While the highway represents a major infrastructure project connecting Tiznit and Dakhla, its route through Western Sahara also places it within the broader geopolitical debate surrounding the disputed territory.