U.S. News
Trump Admin Secures ‘Major Win’ for Texas Farmers in Water Deal with Mexico
By Jake Beardslee · April 30, 2025
U.S. and Mexico Reach New Water Deal to Aid Texas Farmers
A new agreement between the United States and Mexico has been reached to alleviate a long-standing water crisis impacting farmers in southern Texas. Announced by U.S. officials under the Trump administration, the deal compels Mexico to deliver more water from the Rio Grande in accordance with a 1944 bilateral treaty that governs water-sharing between the two countries. Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia
1944 Treaty at Core of Cross-Border Water Agreement
The 1944 U.S.–Mexico Water Treaty mandates that Mexico deliver 1.75 million acre-feet of water from the Rio Grande to the United States over five-year cycles, averaging 350,000 acre-feet annually. In return, the U.S. provides Mexico with 1.5 million acre-feet of water annually from the Colorado River. Kmusser / Wikimedia
Mexico’s Water Delivery Shortfall
Historically, Mexico has struggled to meet its obligations, particularly during drought periods. As of early 2025, Mexico had delivered only about 30% of its required water for the current cycle, which ends in October 2025, leaving a deficit of over 1 million acre-feet. This shortfall has significantly impacted Texas agriculture, especially in the Rio Grande Valley, where farmers rely heavily on these water deliveries for irrigation. U.S. Department of Agriculture / Wikimedia
U.S. Denies Water to Tijuana
In response to these ongoing shortfalls, the U.S. recently denied a Mexican request for water intended for Tijuana—a first since the treaty was enacted, according to The Hill. Jainam Sheth / Unsplash
Trump Admin Hails ‘Major Win’ as Mexico Boosts Water Deliveries
“Mexico finally meeting the water needs of Texas farmers and ranchers under the 1944 Water Treaty is a major win for American agriculture,” said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins in a statement posted on the Department of Agriculture’s website. She confirmed that increased water transfers will begin this growing season. BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
New Agreement Includes Monthly Transfers and Long-Term Plan
Rollins noted that talks with Mexican officials “secured an agreement to give Texas producers the water they need to thrive.” The agreement includes a commitment from Mexico to boost deliveries and address its historical deficits through monthly transfers and continued bilateral consultation. Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia
State Department Praises Trump and Sheinbaum for Breakthrough
The U.S. Department of State called the move a "historic demonstration of leadership" by President Trump and thanked Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for her role in facilitating the deal. Secretaría de Cultura Ciudad de México / Wikimedia
Rubio and Landau Led Talks Behind U.S.-Mexico Water Accord
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau were also involved in the negotiations, according to a release from the State Department. U.S. Department of State / Wikimedia
Texas Farmers Suffer Losses After Years of Water Shortages
South Texas farmers have long felt the consequences of the water shortfall. “Farmers in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas are either out of water or running out of water quickly,” said Brian Jones, a Hidalgo County farmer and Texas Farm Bureau board member, in a statement to CNN. “The sugar industry is lost to Texas and will never return,” he added, referencing the closure of the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers mill, the last of its kind in the state. David Benbennick / Wikimedia
USDA Pledges $280 Million in Aid for Affected Texas Producers
To support those impacted by the prolonged crisis, the Department of Agriculture will allocate $280 million to the Texas Department of Agriculture to assist affected farmers. Fry1989 / Wikimedia