Trump threatens new tariffs on Mexico if it does not release water under 1944 treaty

President Trump threatened to impose an additional 5% tariff on Mexican products if the southern neighbor does not comply with a decades-old treaty that requires the nations to share water from the Colorado River and the Rio Grande.

Mr. Trump, posting on Truth Social, said he expects Mexico to release 800,000 acre-feet of water, with at least 200,000 arriving by Dec. 31. He said Mexico has not been responding, so he threatened a 5% tariff if the water is not released immediately.

“Mexico continues to violate our comprehensive Water Treaty, and this violation is seriously hurting our BEAUTIFUL TEXAS CROPS AND LIVESTOCK,” the president posted.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, responding in a press conference, said she hoped the nations could reach an agreement after a meeting between U.S. and Mexican officials on Tuesday.

The 1944 water treaty requires Mexico to deliver 1.75 million acre-feet of water from the Rio Grande and tributaries in five-year cycles in exchange for Colorado River water from the U.S. (An acre-foot equals about 326,000 gallons.)

However, Mexico has fallen behind in deliveries in recent years due to droughts that have parched the land.

Ms. Sheinbaum said the infrastructure used to transfer the water was another impediment.

“Due to the size of the pipe, it would not be possible to deliver the amount of water requested in a very short time,” the Mexican president said.

In late November, the State Department said “shortfalls in Mexico’s water deliveries have exacerbated water scarcity in Texas and contributed to hundreds of millions of dollars in crop losses for farmers.” 

“President Trump and Secretary [of State Marco] Rubio have been clear that Mexico must meet their obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty,” the statement read. “We remain committed to working with Mexico to resolve this issue through diplomatic channels as we continue to evaluate all available options to ensure Mexico complies with its water delivery obligations.”

Mr. Trump appears to be tired of waiting.

“The longer Mexico takes to release the water, the more our Farmers are hurt. Mexico has an obligation to FIX THIS NOW,” he posted.

Mr. Trump’s push coincides with new efforts to help U.S. farmers who are straining under high equipment costs, low crop prices and trade wars between the U.S. and nations like China.

Mr. Trump is negotiating new trade deals, and China agreed to resume purchases of soybeans. Still, farmers lost a lot of money this year.

The administration on Monday authorized a $12 billion bailout for farmers that relies on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmer Bridge Assistance program.

Mr. Trump’s new 5% tariff would be applied on top of a 25% tariff rate for Mexican products sent to U.S. markets. However, many goods are exempt from tariffs under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement that Mr. Trump negotiated in his first term.

Mr. Trump views tariffs as a great way to gain leverage over other countries in matters such as the water treaty, the fight against fentanyl trafficking and peace deals to end wars.

The Supreme Court is considering whether Mr. Trump stretched his powers by invoking a 1977 law that governs economic emergencies and international relations.

Key justices seemed skeptical of the administration’s actions, suggesting it may have tread on Congress’ power over taxation.