Mexico will advocate for “immediate” water to Texas agricultural producers and aid in safeguarding resources in response to the risks posed by President Trump’s tariffs, Mexican President Claudia Sinbaum revealed on Friday.
“For Texas cultivators requesting water, there are specific millions of cubic meters ready for immediate delivery depending on the water availability in Rio Grande,” Sinbaum informed reporters on Friday.
The US and Mexico became embroiled in a dispute dating back to 1944 Treaty which mandates that Mexico City must send 1.75 million acre-feet of water from the Rio Grande River to the US every five years. In exchange, the US provides 1.5 million acre-feet of water from the Colorado River annually to Mexico.
Mexico did not meet its recent deadline, increasing tensions with its North American partner. Trump threatened on Thursday to impose further tariffs and potential sanctions on Mexico if water deliveries were not fulfilled, stating that the delays are “significantly harming farmers in South Texas.”
“We will make certain that Mexico adheres to our treaty and does not harm Texas farmers,” the president said. “Last month, I halted water shipments to Tijuana until Mexico honored the 1944 Water Treaty.”
Shortly after, Sinbaum acknowledged on social media that Mexico was unable to meet its obligations, mentioning issues stemming from the country’s drought. She added that the government proposed solutions aimed at benefiting both nations.
In late March, the administration declined a request to transfer water from Mexico’s Colorado River to Tijuana. This marked the first denial since the treaty was challenged over 80 years ago.
The State Department pointed out that Mexico’s failure to uphold its end of the agreement was a contributing factor.
“Mexico’s ongoing lack of water delivery under the 1944 Water Sharing Treaty is devastating American agriculture, particularly impacting farmers in the Rio Grande Valley,” the department stated.
