The United States is not planning to impose tariffs on Mexico for “Liberation Day” like they did with Canada, but Mexico is not completely off the hook. Former US President Donald Trump has warned that he might impose taxes and tariffs on Mexico due to a water issue between the two countries. Trump says Mexico is breaking a water-sharing agreement that is 81 years old. He claimed that Mexico owes Texas 1.3 million acre-feet of water according to a treaty established in 1944. He also stated that this situation is unfair and harming farmers in South Texas.
Trump added that Mexico has been “stealing water” from Texas, leading to the closure of the only sugar mill in Texas. He urged that Texas farmers need the water they are owed, and accused President Biden of not helping.
Under the 1944 agreement, Mexico is supposed to provide 1.75 million acre-feet of water to the US every five years from the Rio Grande. However, reports say that Mexico has only delivered less than 30% of this amount so far, and the term ends in October this year.
In response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that Mexico is trying to follow the treaty and pointed out that a three-year drought is making it difficult to provide enough water. She mentioned that she has sent a plan to the US Department of State to deal with the water supply to Texas, including quick actions. She is hopeful that they can reach an agreement on this issue.
It’s important to note that while the US is mostly meeting its obligations under this treaty, there have been recent difficulties due to drought conditions.
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