Spanish media worried Trump’s return could backfire for Spain in Morocco relations

A news article published by the Spanish media outlet Diario de Arousa expressed fear over the return of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to the White House, suggesting “it could cost Spain dealy if it supports Morocco.”

It argued that “Trump’s return to the White House on January 20 will influence the complex Maghreb landscape, where a more emboldened Morocco, having regained a major ally, could adopt a more assertive stance abroad and increase pressure to gain support for Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, potentially creating challenges for Spain.”

Recalling Trump’s 2020 tweet asserting Morocco’s 2007 autonomy plan as “the only basis for a fair and lasting solution for peace and prosperity,” Spanish media noted this message significantly influenced Spain’s March 2022 decision to back Morocco’s autonomy proposal for the Sahara as “the most serious, credible, and realistic” framework for a resolution.

With Trump’s return, the same source reported, quoting Eduard Soler, a professor of International Relations at UAB, it’s highly likely the U.S. President-elect would revive this initiative, potentially prompting Morocco to increase pressure on Spain to follow suit.

“While Soler doubts that Rabat would push to open a consulate in what was a Spanish colony until 1975, it might seek other symbolic gestures,” argued Diario de Arousa.

Soler stated, “Trump’s support for Morocco could heighten the risk of Rabat feeling dissatisfied with Spain’s offerings, potentially prompting Morocco to use migration,” emphasizing that “the U.S. President-elect’s greater sympathies toward Morocco would add an extra challenge if tensions flare up again, as seen in the massive border crossing in Ceuta in 2021.”

The Spanish expert also warned of rising tensions and competition between Morocco and Algeria, potentially harming Spain. “Algeria may feel threatened, even cornered, if Trump continues his efforts to normalize relations between Arab nations and Israel through the Abraham Accords, of which Morocco is a part.”

If Morocco receives increased support and maintains its cooperation with Israel, argued the expert, “there is a greater risk of confrontation with Algeria, which could lead to an overreaction.”