Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Rabat – The US Embassy in Morocco marked the 237th anniversary of the US Department of State by celebrating the country’s long relationship with Morocco.
In a post shared today, the embassy called Morocco “America’s oldest friend,” recalling that it was the first country to recognize the independence of the United States in 1777. “Our enduring friendship, rooted in the 1786 Moroccan-American Treaty of Peace and Friendship, continues to strengthen cooperation, mutual respect, and shared prosperity nearly 250 years later,” the post added.
View this post on Instagram
The 1786 Moroccan-American Treaty of Peace and Friendship remains the longest unbroken treaty relationship in US history.
The story dates back to the American Revolution. In December 1777, Sultan Mohammed III allowed ships sailing under the American flag to enter Moroccan ports. This decision was meant to encourage trade. It also became the first formal recognition of the United States by a foreign country.
The two countries did not build trade ties right away. The Second Continental Congress expressed interest in establishing peace and friendship in 1780 but delayed formal trade relations.
Progress came after Moroccan authorities seized an American merchant ship in October 1784. The incident pushed both sides into negotiations, leading to the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1786.
The partnership continued to grow over the years. Morocco later gifted the United States a building in Tangier for its diplomatic mission. The American Legation served US diplomats from the 1820s until the 1960s. Today, the Tangier Old Legation is a museum, and the only US National Historic Site outside the United States.
The two countries remained partners through the years. American troops were stationed in Morocco during World War II and fought in the North African campaign. Today, Morocco and the United States cooperate closely on defense through joint military exercises and counterterrorism efforts.
Economic ties have continued to grow alongside the diplomatic relationship. According to the latest US trade figures, total goods and services trade with Morocco reached an estimated $9.2 billion (MAD 86.11 billion) in 2024, up 26.5% from the previous year.
US goods exports to Morocco rose to $5.5 billion (MAD 51.48 billion) in 2025, while imports stood at $1.9 billion (MAD 17.78 billion), leaving the United States with a goods trade surplus of $3.7 billion (MAD 34.63 billion).
