Deal struck between US and Mexico to ensure Texas farmers get much-needed water

The Trump administration and Mexican officials have come to a resolution to provide much-needed water from the Rio Grande to Texas farmers. This agreement comes less than a month after President Donald Trump accused Mexico of failing to uphold their end of the 1944 Water Treaty, which promises water to Texas farmers.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, announced the deal on Monday, stating that Mexico has agreed to meet the current water needs of Texas farmers and ranchers. This agreement includes sending water from international reservoirs and increasing the flow of water from six Rio Grande tributaries in Mexico to the U.S. This commitment will last through the end of the current five-year water cycle, ending in October.

Rollins praised the agreement as a significant win for American agriculture and highlighted the efforts made by both U.S. and Mexican officials to secure the deal. Under the 1944 Water Treaty, Mexico is obligated to deliver 1.75 million acre-feet of water to the U.S. over five years from the Rio Grande. In return, the U.S. must provide 1.5 million acre-feet of water to Mexico from the Colorado River.

However, Mexico has at times fallen short of its delivery obligations, causing severe water shortages in the Rio Grande Valley. This has had a detrimental impact on farmers and ranchers, leading to crop losses, job cuts, and economic threats to the region.

President Trump had previously threatened Mexico with tariffs and sanctions if they continued to fail in delivering the promised water to Texas farmers. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that Mexico upholds its end of the treaty to support American farmers.

The agreement between the U.S. and Mexico comes after weeks of negotiations and tensions over water rights. Texas farm groups had expressed concerns about a disastrous farming season due to the water shortages caused by the dispute.

Overall, the resolution of this issue marks a positive step towards supporting Texas farmers and ensuring a stable water supply for agricultural operations in the region. It also highlights the importance of international agreements and cooperation in managing shared water resources for the benefit of both countries.