Trump Says US Will Impose Tariffs, Sanctions on Mexico Over Rio Grande Water Dispute

President Donald Trump has reignited a long-standing dispute over water rights between the United States and Mexico, threatening to impose tariffs and even sanctions if Mexico fails to deliver its share of Rio Grande water as stipulated by the 1944 Water Treaty, Fox News reports.

In a Truth Social post on Thursday, Trump claimed Mexico owes Texas farmers 1.3 million acre-feet of water and accused the country of violating its treaty obligations, causing significant harm to agricultural producers in South Texas.

“This is very unfair, and it is hurting South Texas Farmers very badly,” Trump wrote, citing the closure of the last Texas sugar mill due to water scarcity allegedly caused by Mexico’s failure to comply with the treaty.

He further criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the situation:

“Sleepy Joe refused to lift a finger to help the Farmers. THAT ENDS NOW!”

Trump asserted his commitment to enforcing the treaty and protecting Texas farmers.

“Just last month, I halted water shipments to Tijuana until Mexico complies with the 1944 Water Treaty,” he stated. “My Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins, is standing up for Texas Farmers, and we will keep escalating consequences, including TARIFFS and, maybe even SANCTIONS, until Mexico honors the Treaty, and GIVES TEXAS THE WATER THEY ARE OWED!”

The 1944 Water Treaty requires Mexico to deliver 1.75 million acre-feet of water from the Rio Grande to the US over a five-year cycle. This shared water resource is crucial for irrigating agricultural lands in South Texas, particularly for the state’s burgeoning citrus industry, valued at half a billion dollars. Texas is the third-largest citrus producer in the US, behind California and Florida.

Texas farm groups have expressed concerns about a potentially disastrous season for citrus and sugar crops due to the ongoing water dispute. The current drought conditions in the region are exacerbating the problem, making water deliveries from Mexico even more critical.

The US and Mexico have clashed over the water treaty in the past, but the current situation represents one of the most severe drought-driven shortages in nearly 30 years. Last month, the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs reportedly denied a request from Mexico to deliver water to Tijuana, signaling an escalation of the issue.