U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his readiness to restart negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) with Egypt, signalling a potential renewed American role in resolving the long-standing Nile water dispute.

In a letter dated January 16, 2025, addressed to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Trump emphasised the importance of continuing diplomatic efforts surrounding the dam and highlighted the need for “productive leadership” to manage broader regional tensions. The letter also referenced ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas, underlining interconnected security concerns in the region.

“The spirit of personal friendship we share and America’s commitment to peace and security for the people of Egypt is unwavering. I am ready to take responsibility for resolving the issue of sharing the waters of the Nile between Egypt and Ethiopia once and for all, and I am prepared to restart the negotiations with renewed vigor,” Trump wrote.

The GERD, constructed by Ethiopia on the Blue Nile, has been a source of tension with Egypt and Sudan for over a decade. Negotiations among the three countries have continued intermittently for fourteen years, but a comprehensive agreement on water-sharing and operational protocols remains elusive.

Ethiopia has largely remained outside a formal framework agreed upon by Egypt and Sudan, complicating efforts to reach a consensus. Trump’s initiative signals potential renewed U.S. engagement in facilitating a resolution to the dispute.