China has proposed a free trade agreement with Morocco, a move that Rabat is currently evaluating as it seeks to balance new economic opportunities with the interests of its export-oriented manufacturing sector.
Morocco's Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, said the proposal is under review, stressing that no formal negotiations have yet been launched between the two countries.
Speaking in an interview, Mezzour said the government is assessing the potential implications of a trade agreement with Beijing, particularly its impact on Morocco's economy and existing network of free trade partnerships.
A potential deal could provide Moroccan manufacturers with greater access to the Chinese market while helping the Kingdom diversify its trade relations beyond its traditional European partners, according to the minister.
Over the past two decades, Morocco has emerged as a major manufacturing hub, developing competitive industries in sectors such as automotive production, aerospace, and battery manufacturing. The country has also built an extensive network of trade agreements with key international partners, including the European Union and the United States.
Mezzour emphasized that any decision on a free trade agreement with China would require extensive consultations with businesses and government stakeholders. He noted that the proposal must be carefully examined in light of Morocco's existing trade commitments and broader economic interests.
"We need to evaluate what impact it would have on our economy" and assess how it could affect Morocco's other free trade agreements, the minister said.
The announcement comes as Morocco continues to strengthen its position as a gateway for trade and investment between Africa, Europe, and the wider global market.
In parallel, Morocco is also working toward a free trade agreement with Chile. According to Mezzour, such an agreement could create new opportunities for Moroccan exports, including automobiles, while enhancing the Kingdom's access to South America's Mercosur trade bloc.
