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2mo ago

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.

Water spills over the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River, which runs along the Washington and Oregon state line, June 21, 2022. British Columbia's Energy Ministry says the United States has paused negotiations with Canada on the wide-reaching Columbia River Treaty. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Jessie Wardarski

Overview

  • 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.