U.S. Halts Columbia River Treaty Talks with Canada as Relations Deteriorate

The decades-old water-sharing agreement faces uncertainty after the Trump administration pauses negotiations, citing a review of international agreements.

• The U.S. has paused negotiations with Canada on the Columbia River Treaty, a critical water-sharing agreement governing flood control, hydropower, and water supply.
• The treaty, originally signed in 1961, is vital for managing the Columbia River, which spans British Columbia and the U.S. states of Washington and Oregon, and supports significant hydropower generation.
• Negotiations had reached an in-principle deal under the Biden administration, but the treaty remains incomplete after the Trump administration took office and initiated a review of international agreements.
• Tensions between the two nations have escalated, with President Trump labeling the treaty unfair and making antagonistic remarks about Canada, including threats to upend bilateral agreements.
• British Columbia officials, including Energy Minister Adrian Dix, have pledged to inform residents about the treaty's status and advocate for the province's interests, including Indigenous rights and salmon habitat restoration.

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