Donald Trump is breaking with past administrations by appointing Duke Buchan III as the new U.S. ambassador to Morocco just six weeks into his presidency. A former diplomat with experience in Spain, Buchan is expected to have his nomination swiftly approved by Congress, where the Republican president holds a majority. This rapid diplomatic appointment places Rabat among the new administration's key priorities, alongside Israel and the United Kingdom. In contrast to past U.S. practices, where Algiers was often prioritized over Rabat for ambassadorial postings, this move signals a shift in approach. During his first term (2017–2021), Trump took eight months to nominate an ambassador to Morocco, selecting David T. Fischer in November 2017. However, Fischer did not assume his duties until January 2020, while his Algerian counterpart, John P. Desrocher, was appointed as early as September 2017. Joe Biden followed a similar pattern, waiting until March 2022 to nominate Puneet Talwar as ambassador to Morocco. Like his Republican predecessor, Talwar had to wait several months before taking office in November 2022, whereas Elizabeth Moore Aubin was appointed U.S. ambassador to Algeria as early as April 2021. The expedited nomination of Duke Buchan III sends a strong signal to Rabat, suggesting that the Trump administration intends to uphold commitments made during his first term, particularly recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara and opening a U.S. consulate in Dakhla. Another indication of Washington's push for closer ties: Marco Rubio, the newly appointed Secretary of State, reached out to his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, just a week after Trump's inauguration.
