Trump Admin Makes Texas Water Deal With Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a United States-Mexico water agreement on Monday that secures irrigation resources for the Rio Grande Valley.
Why It Matters
The deal, reached after months of negotiations with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and her government, ensures that Mexico will deliver its overdue water obligations under a longstanding 1944 treaty, providing relief to Texas farmers and ranchers who have faced shortages.
Under the 1944 Water Treaty, Mexico is obligated to deliver 1.75 million acre-feet of water every five years to the U.S. from the Rio Grande River. In return, the U.S. provides Mexico with 1.5 million acre-feet of water from the Colorado River.
What To Know
“Mexico finally meeting the water needs of Texas farmers and ranchers under the 1944 Water Treaty is a major win for American agriculture,” Rollins said in a statement.
“After weeks of negotiations with Mexican cabinet officials alongside the Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, we secured an agreement to give Texas producers the water they need to thrive. While this is a significant step forward, we welcome Mexico’s continued cooperation to support the future of American agriculture.”
She emphasized that the agreement would protect rural economies, safeguard food production, and reinforce the administration’s commitment to standing with American farmers and ranchers.
Sheinbaum acknowledged that Mexico has fallen behind on its water contributions at a press conference earlier this month. She said her government would deliver several million cubic meters of water, based on availability in the Rio Grande.
President Donald Trump referenced the treaty in a post on Truth Social on April 10.
“This is very unfair, and it is hurting south Texas Farmers very badly. Last year, the only sugar mill in Texas CLOSED, because Mexico has been stealing the water from Texas farmers,” Trump wrote.
What People Are Saying
Secretary of Agriculture Rollins, in a statement: “None of this would have been possible without the fervent support of our farmers from President Trump and his work to hold our trading partners accountable.”
Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said in a statement, “South Texas has been devastated by Mexico’s repeated refusal to deliver the water it has owed the United States for far too long, and I commend the Trump administration for securing this critical deal for Mexico to finally send water to the region. This new agreement will bring substantial amounts of acre-feet of water to the U.S., and I thank President Trump, Secretary Rubio, Secretary Rollins, and Deputy Secretary Landau for their leadership after years of the Biden administration sitting on its hands and letting Texans suffer.”
President Donald Trump, in an April 10 Truth Social post: “My Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins, is standing up for Texas farmers, and we will keep escalating consequences, including TARIFFS and, maybe even SANCTIONS, until Mexico honors the Treaty, and GIVES TEXAS THE WATER THEY ARE OWED!”
What Happens Next
The agreement solidified a plan for immediate and short-term water relief for this growing season, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The department said it also welcomes further collaboration with Mexico on treaty agreements related to the outstanding water debts.
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Update 4/28/25, 5:53 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 4/28/25, 7:50 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information and remarks.