US, Mexico Continue Water Treaty Talks Amid Political Tensions

Mexico and the United States confirmed progress in negotiations over the 1944 Water Treaty. Talks come amid a historic drought and mounting political pressure, with both countries exchanging proposals and reaffirming their commitment to honoring treaty obligations.

On April 11, Julio Berdegué, Mexico’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) held a call with Brooke Rollins, the US Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), and Chris Landau, US Undersecretary of State and former Ambassador to Mexico. Berdegué affirmed Mexico’s commitment to the treaty and reported discussions on 2025 water deliveries, as well as plans to modernize irrigation systems in districts 014 in Baja California, 005 and 009 in Chihuahua, and 025 and 026 in Tamaulipas. “We will continue working together for the benefit of both countries,” Berdegué said.

Rollins acknowledged advances in ongoing discussions about the fulfillment of the treaty. However, she emphasized that a definitive resolution is still pending for US farmers who have long awaited relief. “American agriculture has been asking for this relief for years and has not received it. What has changed now is that we have a US president who is willing to do what it takes to make this happen,” Rollins said, expressing appreciation for Berdegué’s quick and focused response.

Tensions over the issue have risen in recent weeks amid political pressures in Washington. The conflict intensified after US President Donald Trump accused Mexico of failing to meet its obligations under the agreement. “Mexico owes Texas 1.3 million acre-feet of water. This is very unfair and is seriously hurting South Texas farmers,” Trump posted.

Trump also claimed that Texas’ only sugar mill shut down last year due to the water shortage and threatened retaliatory measures. “Consequences will continue to escalate, including tariffs and possibly even sanctions, until Mexico honors the Treaty and gives Texas the water it is owed,” he said.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded, saying a preliminary proposal had already been sent to the US government, considering the ongoing drought in northeastern Mexico. “We have had a severe drought in the Río Bravo region for four years,” she said. Sheinbaum noted that President Trump appeared to be misinformed about the ongoing communications between the two agriculture departments, highlighting that work sessions had taken place and a proposal outlining how much water Mexico could deliver immediately, and how much more could follow in the second half of the year, was recently submitted.

Sheinbaum explained that Mexico’s water deliveries are contingent on availability. “There are millions of cubic meters we are obligated to deliver, but if there is no water, how can we deliver it? We will send a significant amount and hope the rainy season provides more water to increase deliveries,” she said.

In this context, Sheinbaum stressed the importance of the government’s planned irrigation modernization initiative. She stated that all irrigation districts near the Río Bravo would be included in the effort. The National Irrigation Modernization Program aims to upgrade irrigation systems across more than 200,000ha, benefiting at least 225,000 farmers. Its core goal is to increase food production while using less water and reallocating resources for aquifer recharge and human consumption in water-scarce urban areas.

About the 1944 Water Treaty

The 1944 Water Treaty established the legal framework for equitable water distribution from the Tijuana, Colorado, and Bravo rivers, from Fort Quitman, Texas, to the Gulf of Mexico. Under the treaty, Mexico is entitled to two-thirds of the Rio Bravo’s water and its tributaries, while the United States receives one-third. The agreement also requires Mexico to deliver a total of 2,158 million m3 of water to the United States every five years. However, due to prolonged drought conditions, Mexico is over three and a half years behind schedule and has fulfilled only 28% of its current delivery obligation.