US, Dec 09 : The United States on Monday issued a sharp warning to Mexico, with President Donald Trump announcing that Washington will impose an additional 5 per cent tariff if Mexico fails to release water owed under a decades-old treaty. Trump said the continued shortfall is severely hurting farmers and ranchers in Texas.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused Mexico of falling short of its treaty obligations for five consecutive years, claiming the deficit has now exceeded 800,000 acre-feet of water a gap he described as a serious blow to “our beautiful Texas crops and livestock.”
Trump said the US expects at least 200,000 acre feet of water to be delivered before December 31, along with further releases. He added that Washington’s requests for compliance have gone unanswered.
“It is very unfair to our US Farmers who deserve this much needed water,” he wrote.
The President said he has already approved the necessary paperwork to move forward with tariffs if Mexico does not immediately meet its obligations.
“That is why I have authorized documentation to impose a 5% Tariff on Mexico if this water isn’t released IMMEDIATELY,” he warned, adding that the delay continues to hurt agricultural producers.
Earlier this year, US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Mexico had agreed to increase water deliveries to Texas to make up for the shortfall under the 1944 water treaty, which requires Mexico to supply 1.75 million acre-feet of Rio Grande water to the US every five years. The US, in turn, must provide Mexico with 1.5 million acre-feet annually from the Colorado River a requirement it has largely met, except during periods of severe drought, as permitted under the treaty.
The most recent five-year cycle ended in October, with data from the International Boundary and Water Commission showing that Mexico delivered less than 30 per cent of its mandated volume.
Responding to Trump’s remarks, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico has complied “to the extent water is available,” citing three consecutive years of drought. She said a new proposal had been submitted to US officials outlining short-term steps to increase water supply to Texas. She also directed Mexico’s environment, agriculture and foreign ministers to coordinate immediately with their US counterparts.
“I am sure, as on other issues, an agreement will be reached,” Sheinbaum said.