Mexico and the United States have agreed to the immediate delivery of water to settle the deficit with Texas, in compliance with the 1944 Water Treaty. 

Grecia Bojórquez / NORO

The governments of Mexico and the United States have announced an agreement to resolve the dispute over water distribution in the border area, in compliance with the 1944 Water Treaty. 

This agreement comes after weeks of negotiations and tensions, driven by threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to impose tariffs and sanctions if Mexico did not fulfill its water obligations to Texas.

What is the agreement between Mexico and the United States?

Under the agreement, Mexico has committed to making “immediate transfers” of water from international reservoirs, which will allow an increase in the U.S. share from six tributaries of the Rio Bravo, known as the Rio Grande in the U.S. This commitment aims to mitigate the water supply deficit that Mexico owed to Texas, which had reached 1.3 million acre-feet (approximately 1.6 billion cubic meters), according to the 1944 Water Treaty.

The Mexican government also agreed to meet the treaty’s requirements through the end of the current hydrological cycle, which will conclude on October 24, 2025. Despite the prolonged drought affecting several regions in northern Mexico, it was assured that the water deliveries would be made gradually and in line with available water resources.

Negotiated solution amid threats of sanctions

The dispute over water distribution had intensified in April of this year, when Trump accused Mexico of “stealing” water from Texas farmers, which, according to him, had severely affected agricultural production in the region. On April 10, the U.S. president threatened to impose tariffs and sanctions on Mexico if the outstanding water deliveries were not made, leading to a diplomatic crisis.

In response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum assured that the country would meet its water commitments but also emphasized the need to improve irrigation efficiency in the border regions to optimize the use of the resource. Through a bilateral agreement, both governments agreed that “immediate transfers” of water would be made to ease the situation and ensure the necessary supply to Texas farmers.

A step toward Stability in border water management

This agreement not only resolves an immediate dispute but also paves the way for closer collaboration between the two countries in the management and distribution of water. According to the U.S. State Department, a “long-term plan” will be developed to consistently meet the treaty’s requirements and avoid future conflicts.

This plan will include additional monthly water transfers, as well as periodic consultations to ensure the needs of users in both countries are met. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollis, emphasized that this agreement represents a “great achievement” for American agriculture, as it allows Texas farmers to access more water for their crops.

Impact on bilateral relations and the border region

Meanwhile, Mexico’s Undersecretary of Agriculture, Víctor Manuel Berdegué, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the treaty, acknowledging that drought conditions complicate water deliveries but assuring they will be made as much as possible.

The agreement also has broader implications for the relationship between Mexico and the United States. Tensions over water management had been a point of friction for several months, particularly after the U.S. imposed tariffs on Mexican products such as steel and automobiles under the USMCA. 

With this new agreement, both countries seek to overcome differences and foster cooperation on key issues such as sustainable water management, a vital resource for the populations in the border region.