Mauritania's international relations are expected to improve further. Two European countries, Spain and France, have been particularly eager to seek close relations with the new administration, as Mauritania is a key partner in their strategies to reduce illegal immigration and to combat terrorist activities. The US administration will continue to collaborate on anti-terrorism campaigns, as will NATO. Relations with China, now Mauritania's largest trading partner, are set to become closer, especially in the development of ancillary infrastructure for the oil industry. Economic and political ties with the Arab world will strengthen, particularly following recent generous aid pledges to Mauritania.

The government's closer collaboration with Algeria in the fight against AQIM may strain historically strong ties with Morocco, which resents Algeria's stance in relation to the disputed region of Western Sahara. Following the suspension of diplomatic ties with Mali earlier this year, in protest at the supposedly soft line taken by the Malian authorities towards AQIM, ties have been restored and co-operation in the fight against terrorism will continue to increase.