Trump Proposes “Lasting Agreement” to Solve Nile Dam Standoff

President Donald Trump has officially re-entered the diplomatic arena regarding the Nile River, offering to mediate the tense standoff between Egypt and Ethiopia. In a letter addressed to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Trump expressed his willingness to resume U.S. mediation efforts. He emphasized that with strong American leadership, a resolution to the long-standing dispute is within reach.
The core of Trump’s proposal focuses on a balanced exchange of resources. He stated that a successful deal would allow Ethiopia to generate the “substantial amounts of electricity” it desires from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). In return, Egypt would receive guarantees for “predictable water releases,” ensuring its critical water supply is not jeopardized by the upstream project.
The conflict over the GERD has been a defining geopolitical issue in East Africa for years. While the massive dam officially opened last year, it remains a source of deep anxiety in Cairo. Egypt relies almost exclusively on the Nile for fresh water and views any restriction of its flow as an existential threat, a concern shared by neighboring Sudan.
Trump’s involvement brings a renewed spotlight to the issue. During his first term, he attempted to broker a treaty, and he has frequently claimed credit for “ending” the dispute, despite the lack of a signed agreement. Negotiations continued under the Biden administration but ultimately failed to produce a permanent solution, leaving the region in a fragile state of uncertainty.
The former President’s recent comments underscore his view of the dam as a major disruptor. Speaking in September, he acknowledged the sheer scale of the project, calling it a “big problem” that impacts the Nile’s flow. His latest offer to provide “technical expertise” and “fair negotiations” aims to finally close the chapter on this complex international struggle.