Christopher Deutsch has started his new job as the US consul general in Casablanca. Deutsch is a career US diplomat with more than 20 years of experience. He will work under US Ambassador Duke Buchan III and run the day-to-day work of the US consulate in Casablanca. His job will include helping increase trade and investment between the US and Morocco. He will also work on education and cultural ties.
Deutsch joined the US Foreign Service in November 2003.
His first overseas posting was in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where he worked as a vice consul from 2004 to 2006. He then served as a political officer at the US embassy in Rome from 2007 to 2009.
His later postings included Cairo, Baghdad and Riyadh. In Riyadh, he served as acting deputy chief of mission and political and economic counsellor for the US Mission to Yemen.
Deutsch also held senior positions at the US State Department in Washington.
He served as deputy director of the Office of Arabian Peninsula Affairs and deputy director of the Office of Regional and Multilateral Affairs. He also worked as chief of staff to the assistant secretary in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.
Deutsch studied history at Yale University and public policy at Princeton University.
He speaks Arabic, French, Italian, Spanish and Haitian Creole.
His appointment comes as trade between the US and Morocco continues to grow.
Goods trade reached $7.4bn in 2025. US exports were worth $5.5bn, while imports from Morocco reached $1.9bn.
Services trade reached $2bn in 2024. US services exports stood at $1.1bn, while imports reached $904m.
US exports to Morocco also rose in June 2026. They reached $637m, up 62.2% from a year earlier.
The two countries have had a free trade agreement since 2004. It took effect in 2006 and is the only US free trade agreement in Africa.
Energy, aerospace, agriculture and green hydrogen are among the main areas of cooperation.
US companies are involved in solar and wind projects, as well as green hydrogen and green ammonia projects. Morocco aims to get 52% of its energy from renewable sources.
More than 140 aerospace suppliers operate in Morocco and make parts for major international aviation companies.
US agricultural exports include wheat, corn, soybeans and distillers dried grains.
Green hydrogen is also becoming an important part of cooperation. US diplomatic officials visited Laayoune in July 2026 to work on new agreements.
Casablanca is also attracting companies looking to expand into West Africa.
Casablanca Finance City has more than 200 international firms. US venture capital firms are also using the city to reach markets in West Africa.
US aerospace and defence companies are expanding facilities near Mohammed V International Airport.
