Both sides of the Rio Grande are suffering from water shortages, but President Trump said Mexico has fallen far short of its obligations to provide more water across the border.
US plans to hold trade talks with Mexico and Canada
President Donald Trump has said the United States will move forward with trade talks with Mexico and Canada.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has demanded that Mexico provide more water to the United States, threatening to raise tariffs on imports by 5% if the country doesn’t turn it on by the end of the year.
Under the 1944 treaty, Mexico must send 1.75 million acre-feet of water from the Rio Grande to the United States every five years through a network of interconnected dams and reservoirs. Water is measured in increments needed to cover land one foot deep.
President Trump raised the possibility of tariffs on social media in April in response to water shortages, and the State Department announced that Mexico would commit to more water supplies.
But President Trump said on social media on Dec. 8 that Texas’ crops and livestock are suffering from water shortages. He called for 800,000 acre-feet of water from the water shortage that has accumulated over five years, and said 200,000 acre-feet is needed by Dec. 31.
“The longer Mexico takes to release water, the harder it will hurt our farmers,” Trump wrote, threatening to impose 5% tariffs on Mexico if it did not comply. “Mexico has an obligation to resolve this now.”
Mexico claims it is in a drought and its water resources are under strain.
The water dispute and tariff threat come as the 2020 trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada is set to expire in July. Trade negotiations continue, but President Trump has said he may not renew agreements with two of the country’s largest trading partners, citing unfair practices.
Contributed by: Reuters
