Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Mexico through his Truth Social platform, demanding the release of significant water resources to the United States. The former president’s remarks come as tensions rise over alleged violations of the 1944 Water Treaty, which governs water sharing between the two nations. Trump claims that Mexico owes the United States over 800,000 acre-feet of water, a situation he says is detrimental to farmers in Texas.
Trump emphasized the urgent need for 200,000 acre-feet of water to be released before December 31, 2023, stating, “Mexico continues to violate our comprehensive Water Treaty, and this violation is seriously hurting our beautiful Texas crops and livestock.” He accused Mexico of failing to comply with treaty obligations over the past five years, which he argues has unfairly impacted American farmers.
In his post, Trump announced he has authorized documentation to impose a 5% tariff on Mexican goods if the water is not released “immediately.” He further stated, “The longer Mexico takes to release the water, the more our farmers are hurt. Mexico has an obligation to fix this now.”
This incident is not the first time Trump has raised concerns over water treaties with Mexico. In April 2023, he stated, “Mexico owes Texas 1.3 million acre-feet of water under the 1944 Water Treaty, but Mexico is unfortunately violating their treaty obligation. This is very unfair, and it is hurting South Texas farmers very badly.”
As the situation unfolds, the U.S. Supreme Court is preparing to rule on whether Trump has the authority to implement tariffs without Congressional approval, particularly under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Trump is reportedly anticipating a potential loss in this case and is considering alternative strategies to navigate the legal landscape.
The ongoing dispute over water resources highlights the complexities of international agreements and their direct impact on local economies, particularly in agricultural regions. As farmers await critical water supplies, the implications of Trump’s threats could resonate beyond the agricultural sector, affecting trade relations between the United States and Mexico.
