King Mohammed VI said the decision reflects his appreciation for President Donald Trump’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2020….reports Asian Lite News Desk
Morocco has named the 1,055-kilometre Tiznit-Dakhla Expressway the “Donald J. Trump Highway”, with King Mohammed VI describing the move as a tribute to the longstanding partnership between Morocco and the United States and his personal appreciation for US President Donald Trump.
The decision was conveyed in a letter sent by King Mohammed VI to Trump on July 2, 2026, in which the monarch said bilateral ties had reached their strongest point during Trump’s two terms as president.
The King also highlighted Trump’s 2020 recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, describing it as a landmark decision that strengthened relations between the two countries.
“Your historic recognition, in 2020, of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara will forever be etched in the memory of Moroccans, from one generation to the next,” the King wrote, adding that the recognition had given “unprecedented momentum” to bilateral ties.
Announcing the naming of the expressway, the monarch said the road was one of Morocco’s most significant infrastructure projects.
“To honor this mark of friendship and peace, and as a personal expression of my deep appreciation, I have taken the decision to name one of the Kingdom’s most significant highways after you, calling it the ‘Donald J. Trump Highway’. Stretching over 1,055 kilometers, this highway is the longest road infrastructure in all of Africa,” the letter said.
According to the Moroccan Royal Cabinet, the expressway links northern and southern Morocco, connecting Tiznit to Dakhla through cities including Guelmim and Laayoune. Built as part of Morocco’s development strategy for its southern provinces, the highway is intended to improve connectivity, reduce travel times, strengthen transport links and facilitate the movement of people and goods.
Moroccan authorities also described the project as a strategic corridor forming part of the King’s vision to strengthen economic integration along the Atlantic coast and enhance trade between Europe and Africa.
Trump acknowledged the honour in a post on his Truth Social platform on July 26.
“Thank you to Highly Respected Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco — Such a Great Honor! I look forward to traveling the entire length of this Great Highway someday, hopefully soon,” he wrote.
Morocco said the naming of the highway reflects the strategic partnership between Rabat and Washington and the close relationship between King Mohammed VI and Trump.
The announcement comes as Morocco continues to maintain that Western Sahara is part of its sovereign territory, a position backed by the United States since Trump’s 2020 proclamation. Rabat also reiterated that the US supports Morocco’s autonomy proposal as the basis for resolving the decades-long dispute over the territory.
