Morocco Renames Major Highway After Donald Trump

Sun Sep 06 2026 02:57:51 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

King Mohammed VI confirms Morocco has renamed a 1,055‑km highway after President Trump, citing strong ties and U.S. recognition of sovereignty.

A letter from King Mohammed VI tells U.S. President Donald Trump that Morocco has officially renamed a major north‑south highway in his honor, a move reflecting the close relationship forged during both of Trump's terms. The 1,055‑km road – formerly the Tiznit‑Dakhla highway – cuts through Western Sahara, a region Morocco claims but partially controls. The name change follows the U.S. 2020 recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed territory, part of a deal that also normalized relations with Israel. Trump expressed excitement about traveling the route in a recent Truth Social post, citing its $1 billion cost and strategic importance.

Morocco Renames Major Highway After Donald Trump

In a letter dated 2 July, King Mohammed VI confirmed that Morocco’s flagship north‑south arterial, the 1,055‑kilometre (655‑mile) Triznit‑Dakhla route, has been officially renamed "Donald Trump Highway". The change was previously referenced by President Trump in a Truth Social post, but no announcement had reached the public until the king’s correspondence was published by the Moroccan state media.

The road cuts deep into Western Sahara – a territory that Morocco occupies and claims sovereignty over, though a portion is controlled by the Polisario Front, who seek independence for the Sahrawi people. The name change is framed by the monarch as a "personal expression of high regard" and a symbolic echo of the United States’ 2020 recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the area, a milestone that helped secure the 2020 normalization agreement with Israel.

The king described the highway as a "strategic axis" linking the country’s north and south, echoing the historical and economic importance of the corridor. He noted that the renaming would "forever be etched in the memory of Moroccans, from generation to generation".

President Trump, in turn, posted a video about the route, revealing its construction cost of nearly $1 billion (£740 million). He added, "I look forward to traveling the entire length of this great highway someday, hopefully soon!".

Image Credit: Reuters