Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio is tipped to become the next US secretary of state in the Trump administration. An appointment which could mark a decisive turning point in United States foreign policy, particularly with regard to North Africa and Algeria. Let us return to the career of this influential politician and his positions, particularly with regard to Algiers.
Marco Rubio, 53, is a prominent figure in the Republican Party. The son of Cuban immigrants, he rose through the ranks of American politics, becoming a senator from Florida in 2011. He is known for his conservative positions on subjects such as foreign policy, defense, and immigration. Vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Rubio has often been on the front lines on issues of national security and international relations.
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In 2016, Rubio attempted to run for the Republican nomination for president before bowing out to Donald Trump. His profile gained attention again during the 2024 campaign, where he was a key supporter of candidate Trump. According to the New York Times, Trump is now considering appointing him to head the State Department, a strategic position for the direction of American foreign policy.
A firm foreign policy towards Algeria
Marco Rubio has been noted for his strong stances towards Algeria, due to that country’s close relations with Russia. In a letter sent to Secretary of State Antony Blinken in September 2022, Rubio called for imposing sanctions against Algeria for its massive purchases of Russian arms.
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In the letter, Rubio expressed his “concern” about a $7 billion defense deal signed between Algeria and Russia in 2021. He stressed that Algeria is one of the military industry’s main clients. Russian, which indirectly contributes to supporting the Russian war machine, particularly in the context of the conflict in Ukraine. Rubio then asked Antony Blinken to comply with the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) of 2017, which requires the US government to impose sanctions on entities carrying out significant transactions with the Russian defense or intelligence sectors.
An alignment favorable to Moroccan interests
If Marco Rubio does indeed become Secretary of State, this could be a boon for Moroccowhich faces growing hostility from Algeria, particularly on the issue of the Moroccan Sahara. Rubio’s support for a policy of sanctions against Algeria could strengthen the position of Morocco, which has established strong strategic relations with the United States in recent years. Washington had already recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara in 2020, and the arrival of Rubio could consolidate this orientation, to the great displeasure of Algiers.
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In a context of regional tensions, this appointment would represent an opportunity for Rabat to increase its diplomatic influence while weakening its Algerian rival on the international scene. For Morocco, Rubio’s aggressive approach towards Algeria could also offer additional leverage to obtain increased support in the Sahara issue, a central issue in Moroccan foreign policy.
