EU-Morocco relations enter a more antagonistic phase

Significance

The incident followed diplomatic frictions with Germany in March. Since the administration of former US President Donald Trump in late 2020 recognised Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara in exchange for Morocco re-establishing diplomatic ties with Israel, Morocco’s foreign policy posture has become more assertive.

Impacts

• In the past, Morocco has punished firms for diplomatic disputes; Spanish and German companies could suffer business disruptions.
• Morocco will use illegal immigration as an effective foreign policy tool.
• Neighbour and antagonist Algeria is entangled in domestic crises and does not have the capacity to engage in diplomatic issues.