Trump says Morocco named Tiznit-Dakhla highway after him: Why it matters

Core Impact Points

• The Tiznit-Dakhla highway, a 1,055km route connecting southern Morocco with Mauritania, was completed in January and forms part of Morocco's infrastructure projects in Western Sahara.
• The highway's dedication to Trump is seen as a gesture of gratitude for his administration's support of Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara, which was recognized by the US in December 2020.
• The move has implications for the US market, as it may impact trade relations with Morocco and other African countries, particularly in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement.
• The Trump administration's recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara has been met with criticism from Algeria, which backs the Polisario Front's bid for independence.
• The US Department of Commerce's decision to fund an ammonium project in Western Sahara adds a new economic dimension to the conflict, which has long been shaped by diplomacy, security, and competing claims over the territory.
• The situation in Western Sahara has significant implications for the global economy, particularly in the context of trade and resource extraction, with the territory's phosphate reserves being a valuable asset.