Former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed concern over the ongoing crisis surrounding Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD), emphasizing the critical importance of water for Egypt’s survival.
Speaking at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, Trump said: "The United States funded the dam — I don’t know why. It created a major problem between Egypt and Ethiopia, especially during times of drought."
He added that the U.S. would work toward resolving the dispute between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia: "We hope this crisis doesn’t escalate. Water is a very sensitive issue, and it is the lifeblood of Egypt. I believe we’ll reach a resolution soon."
Previously, Trump had harshly criticized the U.S. for funding the Ethiopian dam, calling it a "stupid" move that significantly reduces water flow to downstream countries.
Trump also recalled his mediation efforts in 2019–2020, when the U.S. hosted negotiations between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan with the participation of the World Bank. The talks collapsed after Ethiopia refused to sign the final agreement, which Egypt had endorsed.
"I found them a deal, but Ethiopia violated it — that was a big mistake," Trump said, adding, "Egypt may blow up the dam because they can't live like this. They should have stopped it before it even started."
| Keyword | Related Topic |
|---|---|
| Trump | U.S. Politics |
| Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam | International Disputes |
| Egypt-Ethiopia relations | Middle East Diplomacy |
| Nile Water Crisis | Water Security |
| U.S. Foreign Policy | Trump Administration |
| Ethiopia | African Politics |
| Sudan | Regional Conflicts |
| Trump Middle East | Trump Speeches |