The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of state announced a new commitment between the U.S. and Mexico that should strengthen implementation of the 1944 Water Treaty.
The announcement comes after a call between President Trump and President Sheinbaum that affirmed their commitment to resolve longstanding water management challenges and supporting communities and producers on both sides of the border.
“Water is the lifeblood of the farmers and ranchers who power South Texas’s agricultural economy,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “This understanding between our countries is a direct result of President Trump’s determination to secure fair, practical deals that deliver for American agriculture.”
“ Under President Trump’s leadership and direction,” said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, “the Department of State, USDA and the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission have worked to secure Mexico’s commitment to meet its obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty, while also providing a plan to eliminate the deficit from the prior cycle, strengthening water security for Texas communities and U.S. agriculture.”
Under the negotiated outcome, Mexico committed to deliver a minimum of 350,000 acre-feet of water per year to the United States during the current five-year cycle, providing stability for agricultural producers and rural communities in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Mexico has also committed to a detailed plan to fully repay all outstanding water debt accrued during the previous cycle.
Additionally, both parties will hold monthly meetings to ensure timely, consistent deliveries and prevent future deficits.