Mexico has agreed to release water to the Rio Grande Valley to fulfill its part of the 1944 Water Treaty after years of failing to deliver.
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins made the announcement late last week, following years of state and federal officials calling for Mexico to uphold its part of the agreement.
Prior to this announcement, President Donald Trump had called out Mexico on social media for not upholding its part of the treaty. He addressed the havoc and economic losses it has caused for the farmers and ranchers in the Rio Grande Valley.
Although Mexico has delivered more water in the last year than the previous four combined, the country is still falling short of its treaty requirements.
In his social media post, Trump demanded that Mexico release 200,000 acre-feet of water by the year’s end or face a five percent tariff on Mexican products.
“The longer Mexico takes to release the water, the more our Farmers are hurt,” reads the post. “Mexico has an obligation to FIX THIS NOW. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
A few days later, Secretary Rollins announced Mexico’s agreement to comply with the treaty and to send water to repay the previous cycle’s deficit.
“President Trump continues to put American farmers first and is finally holding our international partners accountable to their obligations and commitments,” said Rollins. “Once again, America is being treated fairly.”
The delivery of 202,000 acre-feet by Mexico is set to begin this week.
Rollins assured producers in the Rio Grande Valley that as Mexico begins delivering the water, the USDA stands ready to work with Congress and other federal agencies to ensure they receive certainty as they plan for the approaching crop season.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has applauded President Trump “for putting American farmers first and holding Mexico’s feet to the fire to get this treaty honored.”
“For years, producers in the Rio Grande Basin have been shorted the water they are legally owed, causing the loss of crops, jobs, industries, and livelihoods,” Miller added. “Their willingness to come to the table speaks volumes about the improved relationship between Mexico and the United States, but sustained accountability will be necessary.”
According to the treaty, Mexico is required to deliver 1.75 million acre-feet of water to the Rio Grande Valley. In turn, the U.S. delivers 1.5 million acre-feet of water to Mexico from the Colorado River. Mexico has failed multiple times since 1994 to deliver its full amount of water within the five-year cycle.
The USDA is currently working with the Mexican government to finalize a plan for the next five years, which is expected by the end of January 2026.
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