Trump threatens to slam Mexico with fresh tariffs over water dispute

President Donald Trump of the United States on Monday threatened to impose an additional five per cent tariff on Mexico.

Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump alleged that Mexico was violating a water-sharing treaty, saying crops and livestock were being badly affected in Texas.

“I have authorized documentation to impose a 5% Tariff on Mexico if this water isn’t released, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump wrote.

Trump further accused Mexico of violating a 1944 treaty under which the United States shares water from the Colorado River in exchange for flows from the Rio Grande, which forms part of the border between the two countries.

According to him, Mexico owed 800,000 acre-feet of water to the United States under the terms of the treaty, demanding it release 200,000 acre-feet of water before December 31, and that the rest must come soon after.

“The longer Mexico takes to release the water, the more our Farmers are hurt,” Trump added.

The move to boost water supplies for Texas farmers came the same day the 79-year-old president announced a $12 billion aid package for the US agriculture industry, rocked by fallout from his trade and tariff policies.

DAILY POST recalls that Trump had previously threatened Mexico with economic repercussions regarding the water dispute in April, prompting Mexico at the time to immediately send water and continue fulfilling its commitments under the 1944 treaty.