Washington — U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he has authorized documentation to impose a 5% tariff on Mexico if the neighboring country does not immediately release 246.6 million cubic meters pending under the Water Treaty, a noncompliance that, according to Trump, has seriously affected crops and livestock in Texas.
Accusation of Water Debt and Economic Warning
Trump noted that Mexico still owes more than 986.4 million cubic meters accumulated over the last five years and warned that as long as the treaty is not complied with, U.S. farmers will continue to suffer economic damage.
“The longer Mexico takes to release the water, the more our farmers will be harmed,” emphasized the president, urging the Mexican government to “fix this now,” said the president on his Truth Social account.
Meeting with Agricultural Leaders and Pressure on Mexican Government
Trump’s warning to Mexico comes just hours after meeting at the White House with a group of agricultural leaders from South Texas, who, along with Governor Greg Abbott and Republican Senator Ted Cruz, have sought to pressure the neighboring country to comply with the 1944 water agreement, which regulates the management of the Colorado, Bravo, and Conchos rivers that cross both nations.
Obligations of the 1944 Treaty
According to the 1944 treaty, the United States must send 1.850 billion cubic meters from the Colorado River per year to Mexico, and Mexico must send 2.185 billion cubic meters from the Bravo River in five-year cycles.
“Mexico continues to violate our Water Treaty, and this violation is seriously hurting our BEAUTIFUL TEXAS CROPS AND LIVESTOCK,” wrote Trump.
Agricultural Crisis and Announcement of Economic Support
The Republican’s threat comes on the same day that his Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins, acknowledged that the agricultural sector was facing a crisis worse than any that most farmers had experienced.
The secretary added that farmers would receive their aid on February 28, 2026, and that they would know how much they would receive by the end of the year.
Announcement of an Economic Rescue for Farmers
Trump stated at the White House: “We love our farmers,” and announced a $12 billion rescue that will be taken from a fund of the Agriculture Department.
“Mexico continues to violate our comprehensive Water Treaty, and this violation is seriously hurting our BEAUTIFUL TEXAS CROPS AND LIVESTOCK… Mexico has an obligation to FIX THIS NOW.” – President Donald J. Trump
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