GERD Inauguration Looms As Trumps Controversial Remarks Resurface Tensions
Controversial Trump Comments Reignite GERD Tensions as Ethiopia Prepares for Inauguration
ADDIS ABABA/WASHINGTON D.C. – Remarks by President Donald Trump on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) have stirred fresh controversy, even as Ethiopia signals the dam’s imminent inauguration in September 2025. Trump’s assertions, made during a conversation with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Monday, July 14, 2025 , claimed U.S. financial backing for the GERD and characterized it as “blocking water going to the Nile,” drawing sharp reactions and highlighting the deeply entrenched dispute over the mega-project.
During his White House discussion, Trump referred to Ethiopia only as “Egypt’s neighbor; a good neighbor,” and “my friends,” before stating that this “good neighbor” had built a dam that “blocks water flowing to the river called the Nile.” He also reiterated his prior, unproven claim that the United States “funded the dam,” questioning why the issue wasn’t resolved before its construction.
These comments resonate with Trump’s earlier controversial statements during his first term, where he had suggested Egypt “could blow up” the dam, a remark that Ethiopia had vehemently condemned as an “incitement of war.” It is worth noting that Ethiopia has consistently maintained that the GERD is entirely self-financed by its people and government, with no foreign government contributions.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s development aspirations aimed at alleviating energy poverty and boosting economic growth, has been a persistent source of tension with downstream nations, Egypt and Sudan. Egypt, particularly, views the dam as an existential threat to its water security, as it relies heavily on the Nile for its fresh water supply.
Despite years of tripartite negotiations, initially mediated by the U.S. under the Trump administration and later by the African Union, no legally binding agreement on the dam’s filling and operation has been reached. Ethiopia has already completed multiple filling phases, with the fourth and final phase concluded in 2023. Ethiopia has consistently invited Egypt and Sudan for dialogue and cooperation regarding the dam, emphasizing its benefits for all riparian countries.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed recently confirmed that the GERD is now complete and will be officially inaugurated in September 2025. He extended an invitation to Egypt, Sudan, and all other Nile riparian countries to attend the ceremony, reiterating Ethiopia’s commitment to ensuring the dam benefits the entire region without harming downstream nations.
However, Egypt continues to demand a legally binding agreement on the dam’s operation and water release. Egyptian officials, including Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Dr. Hani Sewilam, have recently reasserted that the GERD remains “illegal and incomplete” from their perspective and warned against “unilateral actions” by Ethiopia. Egypt emphasizes that its water security is non-negotiable and insists on a written framework that guarantees its rights to Nile waters for current and future generations.
The historical negotiations in Washington during Trump’s first term are remembered for their lack of resolution. Ethiopia had withdrawn from those talks, accusing the U.S. and World Bank of bias towards Egypt. Disagreements persisted over crucial aspects such as the dam’s filling rate and the amount of water to be released, with Egypt seeking a longer filling period and greater water guarantees than Ethiopia was willing to concede.
As the inauguration approaches, Trump’s renewed intervention has once again highlighted the deep geopolitical sensitivities surrounding the GERD. While Ethiopia celebrates the completion of a project vital for its national development, Egypt remains steadfast in its calls for a comprehensive agreement, underscoring the enduring challenges in managing the shared resources of the Nile Basin.
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