US slaps 5 percent tariffs on Mexico over water dispute, Trump demands release of Rio Grande flows

President Donald Trump has raised tariffs on Mexican imports by 5 percent, accusing Mexico of failing to meet its obligations under a decades-old cross-border water treaty. The move, announced late Monday on Truth Social, adds new friction to an already strained relationship between the two neighbours.

“Mexico continues to violate our comprehensive Water Treaty, and this violation is seriously hurting our BEAUTIFUL TEXAS CROPS AND LIVESTOCK,” Trump wrote, claiming Mexico owes more than 800,000 acre-feet of water accumulated over five years.

He demanded the release of 200,000 acre-feet, roughly 246 million cubic metres, by December 31, warning tariffs begin immediately and could escalate if Mexico does not comply.

“As of now, Mexico is not responding,” Trump said. “That is why I have authorized documentation to impose a 5% Tariff on Mexico if this water isn’t released, IMMEDIATELY. The longer Mexico takes to release the water, the more our Farmers are hurt.”

The clash centres on the 1944 Water Treaty, which divides flow between the Rio Grande, Colorado River and their tributaries. The US is required to provide Mexico 1.5 million acre-feet annually, while Mexico must return at least 350,000. But years of severe drought have pushed Mexico into a supply crisis.

More than 75 percent of the country is under moderate to exceptional drought, the worst since 2011, according to the North American Drought Monitor.

Mexican officials have signalled they cannot meet treaty terms under current conditions. Meanwhile, farmers in South Texas say shrinking river flows have devastated crops and livestock, fuelling political pressure for Washington to intervene.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott urged enforcement last month, accusing Mexico of “continued breaches” and warning of “erosion of the agricultural viability of the Rio Grande Valley”.