Donald Trump has recently offered to restart US mediation efforts in the protracted dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile River. This offer was formally communicated through a letter sent by Trump to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Friday, January 16, 2026. In his correspondence, Trump reportedly affirmed the United States' readiness to help resolve the critical issue of Nile water sharing once and for all. The dispute centers on the GERD, Africa's largest hydroelectric project, which Ethiopia views as vital for its economic development and electricity generation. However, downstream nations, particularly Egypt and Sudan, fear that the dam's filling and operation could significantly reduce their vital water supply from the Nile, impacting agriculture and overall water security for their populations. Egypt, in particular, relies on the Nile for approximately 97% of its water needs. Previous Washington-led mediation attempts during Trump's first term, which included negotiations in 2019 and 2020, ultimately faltered after Ethiopia withdrew from the talks. The current offer signifies a renewed US engagement in this sensitive geopolitical matter. Trump's message to Al-Sisi underlined the US position that "no state in this region should unilaterally control the precious resources of the Nile, and disadvantage its neighbors in the process." Egyptian President Al-Sisi has reportedly welcomed Trump's offer, reiterating Egypt's concerns about its water security. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam was formally inaugurated in September 2025, adding further urgency to the need for a binding agreement on its operation.