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By Joe Edwards
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President Donald Trump has accused Mexico of stealing water from Texas, citing a 1944 treaty.
The president said on Thursday that Mexico "owes Texas 1.3 million acre-feet of water under the 1944 Water Treaty," and added that the country is "violating their Treaty obligation."
Trump also warned that the U.S. would keep escalating actions against Mexico, including potential tariffs and sanctions, until it honors the treaty.
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Why It Matters
Trump's remarks followed a move last month to halt shipments of water to Tijuana, citing Mexico's shortfalls. It marked the first time that the U.S. had delayed such a delivery.
Mexican officials have blamed drought conditions as a contributing factor behind the missed deliveries.
What To Know
Writing on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump said: "This is very unfair, and it is hurting south Texas Farmers very badly. Last year, the only sugar mill in Texas CLOSED, because Mexico has been stealing the water from Texas farmers. Ted Cruz has been leading the fight to get south Texas the water it is owed, but Sleepy Joe refused to lift a finger to help the Farmers."
He added: "THAT ENDS NOW! I will make sure Mexico doesn't violate our treaties, and doesn't hurt our Texas farmers. Just last month, I halted water shipments to Tijuana until Mexico complies with the 1944 Water Treaty. My Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins, is standing up for Texas farmers, and we will keep escalating consequences, including TARIFFS and, maybe even SANCTIONS, until Mexico honors the Treaty, and GIVES TEXAS THE WATER THEY ARE OWED!"
Under the terms of the decades-old water-sharing treaty, Mexico is required to deliver 1.75 million acre-feet of water to the U.S. every five years via the Rio Grande, while the U.S. delivers 1.5 million acre-feet annually from the Colorado River.
The agreement relies on a complex system of dams and reservoirs to channel the flow.
In response to Trump's post, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum cited a three-year drought and said "to the extent water is available, Mexico has been complying" with the treaty.
What People Are Saying
The U.S. State Department's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs said on March 20: "Mexico's continued shortfalls in its water deliveries under the 1944 water-sharing treaty are decimating American agriculture — particularly farmers in the Rio Grande valley.
"As a result, today for the first time, the U.S. will deny Mexico's non-treaty request for a special delivery channel for Colorado River water to be delivered to Tijuana."
Farmers in south Texas have blamed Mexico's missed deliveries for agricultural declines, including the permanent closure of the region's last sugar mill, which shut in 2024.
Brian Jones, a Hidalgo County farmer, told CNN: "The sugar industry is lost to Texas and will never return."
What Happens Next
Sheinbaum said that a "comprehensive" proposal had been sent to the U.S. State Department to address the issue on Wednesday.
"I am confident that, as on other issues, an agreement will be reached," she said.
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