Trump Warns Mexico Over Water Treaty Violations
On Monday, President Donald Trump expressed concern that Mexico’s delay in providing water under a decades-old treaty is negatively impacting farmers in Texas. He suggested that failing to release a crucial supply could lead to new tariffs.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump demanded that Mexico release 200,000 acre-feet of water by December 31, in accordance with the 1944 Water Treaty, or face a 5% tariff.
“Mexico is continuing to breach our comprehensive water treaty, severely harming our beautiful Texas crops and livestock,” he stated. “They still owe over 800,000 acre-feet of water to the United States due to noncompliance over the last five years.”
Trump reiterated, “Mexico must release 200,000 acre-feet of water by December 31st, and the remainder soon after.”
He further claimed, “Mexico is not responding, and it’s deeply unfair to American farmers, who are in dire need of this water. Therefore, we have approved a document to impose a 5% tariff on Mexico if the water isn’t released immediately.”
“The longer Mexico delays the release of water, the more damage will be inflicted on farmers. They must rectify this situation now,” he added.
Texas agricultural organizations warned last year that citrus and sugar farmers could face a disastrous season as both Mexican and U.S. officials sought to settle the dispute related to the 1944 treaty, which is essential for U.S. farmers’ irrigation.
The two nations have seen disagreements over treaties in the past, but the current drought-driven shortage is reportedly the worst in nearly three decades.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration and Mexican authorities reached an agreement aimed at ensuring Texas farmers receive necessary water from the Rio Grande, shortly after Trump accused Mexico of withholding water per the treaty.
As part of the agreement, Mexico committed to redirecting water from international reservoirs and increasing U.S. water flows from Mexico’s six tributaries of the Rio Grande until the current five-year water cycle ends.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins described the move as a significant step forward, emphasizing that the Trump administration appreciates Mexico’s collaboration in supporting U.S. agriculture.
The 1944 Water Treaty obligates Mexico to supply 1.75 million acre-feet of water from the Rio Grande over a five-year period, and in exchange, the United States is required to provide 1.5 million acre-feet from the Colorado River.
However, Mexico occasionally faces water shortages, leading to significant concerns for farmers and ranchers in the Rio Grande Valley. These shortages pose a threat to local economies by damaging crops and risking jobs.
