A major agreement has been reached between the United States and Mexico that will send critical water supplies to Texas farmers, who have been struggling due to extreme shortages from the Rio Grande.
The deal comes just weeks after former President Donald Trump accused Mexico of violating a longstanding water treaty and threatened strong action, including tariffs and sanctions.
On Monday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins confirmed that the two countries had finalized an agreement that forces Mexico to deliver its promised share of water under the 1944 Water Treaty.
This treaty, signed over 80 years ago, requires Mexico to send 1.75 million acre-feet of water to the United States every five years from Rio Grande tributaries. In return, the U.S. provides Mexico with 1.5 million acre-feet from the Colorado River.
However, Mexico has often fallen behind on its commitment. This has led to water shortages for Texas farmers, who rely heavily on Rio Grande irrigation for crops like citrus, sugarcane, and vegetables. The recent drought has made the situation worse, turning what was already a tense issue into a crisis.
According to Secretary Rollins, the new agreement includes immediate action from Mexico. They will increase water flows from six tributaries and tap into international reservoirs to ensure that the U.S. receives its full share before the current water cycle ends in October.
“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. She also noted that the breakthrough came after weeks of talks involving high-level Mexican officials and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.
Rollins praised the outcome as a strong step forward and said that the Trump administration welcomes Mexico’s cooperation, especially at a time when American farmers are facing mounting challenges.
The deal wasn’t reached without pressure. Just a few weeks ago, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to blast the Mexican government for what he described as “stealing” water from Texas.
He said the lack of water was devastating South Texas agriculture, even causing the only sugar mill in the state to shut down.
“This is very unfair, and it is hurting South Texas Farmers very badly,” Trump posted on April 10. He blamed President Joe Biden for not doing enough to help and praised Senator Ted Cruz for standing up for the farmers.
In his post, Trump warned that if Mexico continued to ignore its responsibilities under the treaty, there would be consequences. He said he had already stopped water shipments to Tijuana as a form of pressure and would consider tariffs or sanctions if needed.
“My Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins, is standing up for Texas Farmers, and we will keep escalating consequences until Mexico honors the Treaty and gives Texas the water they are owed!” he said.
The issue reached a boiling point as farm groups across Texas issued dire warnings. Many feared that another season without enough water would wipe out crops and jobs.
Growers in the Rio Grande Valley said they had already seen a dramatic drop in irrigation water, which was forcing them to abandon fields and take financial losses.
Texas agricultural leaders had long warned that the situation was unsustainable. In past years, the treaty allowed for some flexibility, but the severe drought made the water shortfall much more damaging than usual. Farmers said they were tired of empty promises and wanted real action.
While the U.S. and Mexico have clashed over this treaty before, the recent crisis was one of the worst in nearly three decades.
Both countries had been in talks for months, but the pressure from the Trump administration seemed to accelerate the resolution.
With this new deal in place, Texas farmers are expected to get some relief, although many say they will still be cautious moving forward. They’ve seen these types of deals fall apart in the past and want to ensure that Mexico sticks to the plan this time.
Rollins emphasized that the U.S. will continue to monitor the situation closely. “This agreement doesn’t just help farmers in the short term—it sets a tone for accountability going forward,” she said.
For now, though, the focus is on getting water where it’s needed most. Farmers hope the increased flow will be enough to save their crops and livelihoods as the growing season picks up speed.
This deal marks an important moment in U.S.-Mexico relations, especially when it comes to agricultural cooperation. As the climate continues to change and droughts become more frequent, both nations will need to work closely to manage shared water resources and avoid future conflicts.
But for now, at least, Texas farmers can breathe a little easier. Their water is finally on the way.
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