• Trump announces a 5% tariff on Mexico amid water treaty violations.
• Mexico accused of owing 800,000 acre-feet of water to the U.S.
• The tariff is intended to pressure Mexico into compliance by December 31.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 5% tariff on imports from Mexico over claims that the country is withholding water owed under a decades-old treaty. Trump announced the tariff via his Truth Social platform, noting that Mexico continues to violate the 1944 Water Treaty, which stipulates the flow of water between the two nations. He stated, “Mexico continues to violate our comprehensive Water Treaty, and this violation is seriously hurting our beautiful Texas crops and livestock,” emphasizing the need for immediate action, according to Al Jazeera, India Times, and Anadolu Agency.

The tariff threat stems from accumulated water owed to the U.S., with Trump claiming that Mexico still owes over 800,000 acre-feet of water due to non-compliance over the past five years. He specifically demanded that Mexico release 200,000 acre-feet by December 31, stating, “The longer Mexico takes to release the water, the more our Farmers are hurt,” reflecting growing frustrations among U.S. agricultural stakeholders, according to Al Jazeera and Anadolu Agency.

This ongoing dispute has drawn significant attention as Trump's administration previously attempted to resolve similar issues through economic measures. This includes earlier threats of tariffs which pressured Mexico into fulfilling its water obligations under the treaty. Notably, the U.S. State Department had indicated that continued shortfalls in water deliveries were damaging American agriculture, particularly in Texas, suggesting that tensions around this issue may escalate further if a resolution is not reached soon. Reports indicate that Trump’s threats may also serve to bolster his position ahead of securing a broader agricultural support package, albeit amidst criticisms regarding his trade policies, as outlined by India Times.