As Mexico’s failed compliance with a treaty continues to impact Texas farmers negatively, President Donald Trump has turned once more to tariffs to get the nation’s neighbor to act “IMMEDIATELY.”
Even before officially returning to the White House, the chief executive responsible for “The Art of the Deal” began tariff talk to leverage trade partners toward America’s advantage. Monday evening, the president employed that tool anew as he called on Mexico to abide by the 1944 Water Treaty in addition to an agreement brokered earlier this year or face a new 5% tariff.
Announcing the ultimatum on Truth Social, the president wrote, “Mexico continues to violate our comprehensive Water Treaty, and this violation is seriously hurting our BEAUTIFUL TEXAS CROPS AND LIVESTOCK. Mexico still owes the U.S. over 800,000 acre-feet of water for failing to comply with our Treaty over the past five years.”
“The U.S. needs Mexico to release 200,000 acre-feet of water before December 31st, and the rest must come soon after. As of now, Mexico is not responding, and it is very unfair to our U.S. Farmers who deserve this much needed water. That is why I have authorized documentation to impose a 5% Tariff on Mexico if this water isn’t released, IMMEDIATELY,” he went on. “The longer Mexico takes to release the water, the more our Farmers are hurt. Mexico has an obligation to FIX THIS NOW. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
On top of the 1944 Water Treaty between the United States and Mexico regarding waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers, as well as the Rio Grande, a deal was reached in April where Mexico agreed to supply water from international reservoirs in addition to increasing the flow to the United States from six Mexican Rio Grande tributaries through the end of the current cycle.
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said, “This will meet the immediate needs of American farmers and ranchers, and sets the stage for full Mexican compliance in the next cycle under the 1944 Water Treaty.”
America’s farmers and ranchers should rest assured that @USDA is well aware that they deserve their full quota of water — and so we are committed to ensuring that Mexico meets its treaty obligations, and fulfills its outstanding water debts in support of American agriculture.
— Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) April 28, 2025
In November, following a meeting with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, the secretary indicated, “While Mexico has begun to meet its commitment to get water flowing, it’s still not enough, and we will continue to work on this incredibly important issue. I value our friendship with Mexico — but a promise is a promise. It’s time for Mexico to deliver the water our border communities were guaranteed!”
🇺🇸💧American Farmers Deserve Water!
In 1944, the U.S. and Mexico signed a treaty written in a “spirit of cordiality and friendly cooperation.” That deal promised Mexico would send water north to keep the Rio Grande flowing.
However, the last sugar mill in Texas in the Rio… pic.twitter.com/fs5BDTnxie
— Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) November 9, 2025
The pressure on Mexico to uphold its end of the bargain also came as the president announced $12 billion in relief for farmers on Monday from the Oval Office, utilizing funds collected through tariffs.
While the Supreme Court adjudicates the sweeping tariffs of the Trump administration, the president also posted a reminder to Truth Social early Tuesday morning that read, “Because of Tariffs, easily and quickly applied, our National Security has been greatly enhanced, and we have become the financially strongest Country, by far, anywhere in the World. Only dark and sinister forces would want to see that end!!!”
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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