Exclusive-Water looms as new front in Mexico's trade negotiations with the US


Cows graze on a parched field, as Mexico contends that a historic drought fueled by climate change makes it impossible to fulfil its water commitments to the United States under a 1944 treaty, near Chihuahua city, Mexico April 4, 2025. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexican officials are scrambling to come up with a plan to increase the amount of water the country sends to the United States because of growing concern that President Donald Trump could drag a dispute over an 81-year-old water treaty into trade negotiations, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

Under a 1944 treaty that outlines water sharing between the two countries through a network of interconnected dams and reservoirs, Mexico must send 1.75 million acre-feet of water to the U.S. from the Rio Grande every five years. An acre-foot of water is enough to fill about half an Olympic swimming pool.

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