DR ‹ › The influential chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives' Ways and Means Committee is gearing up for a visit to Morocco. In anticipation of this trip, Republican Congressman Jason Smith held talks with Morocco's ambassador, Youssef Amrani, in Washington. During their meeting, the Moroccan diplomat highlighted that the Ways and Means Committee «has played a pivotal role in fortifying a historic alliance and a free trade agreement that continues to yield positive results. From trade to food security and shared prosperity, this partnership is beneficial for both the Moroccan and American people». This visit is timely, as Rabat and Washington prepare to mark the 20th anniversary of the free trade agreement's implementation on January 1st, an agreement originally signed in 2004. However, the framework now appears somewhat outdated, especially following President Donald Trump's recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara on December 10, 2020. Notably, the 2006 FTA had excluded this region. The dynamics have shifted, particularly after the U.S. removed barriers that previously restricted American public companies from investing in the Moroccan Sahara. «The United States has acknowledged Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara, and as part of the Trump administration's broader initiatives to enhance economic and commercial diplomacy, we are pleased to announce our support for American companies interested in investing in this region of Morocco», stated Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau in September in New York, following a meeting with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. In this context, the upcoming visit by Jason Smith, a staunch Trump ally, holds significant importance. It could potentially set the stage for revising the economic and commercial partnership between the two nations, aligning it with current geopolitical and strategic realities.
