Donald Trump’s tariff standoff with Mexico has escalated further as he presented the country with a stark choice between two options.
On April 2, during a globally televised announcement from the White House, Trump unveiled his ‘Liberation Day’ plan, introducing a new wave of tariffs targeting nations across the board.
Friend or foe—it made no difference. Every country was set to face tariffs without exception.
This included a 25 percent tariff on all foreign-made automobiles and a 10 percent tariff on all countries—excluding those covered by the USMCA free trade agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The backlash has been swift and significant.
Donald Trump has threatened Mexico (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
In February, regarding his initial deal with Mexico, President Trump paused the tariffs and focused on addressing the “extraordinary threat posed by illegal immigration and drugs, including the deadly fentanyl.”
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum and Trump reached an agreement aimed at combating drug trafficking into the U.S., which included four key actions.
Sheinbaum posted online:
“1. Mexico will immediately deploy 10,000 National Guard members to reinforce the northern border and prevent drug trafficking, especially fentanyl, from entering the United States.
“2. The United States is committed to preventing the trafficking of high-powered weapons into Mexico.”
“3. Our teams will begin working today on two fronts: security and trade.
“4. They will suspend tariffs for one month starting now.”
However, Trump may soon impose additional tariffs and even sanctions on the country, accusing Mexico of “stealing water from Texas farmers,” a claim he argues violates the 1944 Water Treaty.
Mexico has been suffering through a 3 year drought (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Trump accused Mexico of stealing over a million acre-feet of water.
Under the 1944 Water Treaty, Mexico is required to deliver 1.75 million acre-feet of water from the Rio Grande to the U.S. every five years.
Trump posted on Truth Social: “Mexico OWES Texas 1.3 million acre-feet of water under the 1944 Water Treaty, but Mexico is unfortunately violating their treaty obligation. This is very unfair and is hurting South Texas farmers badly.”
Although the five-year cycle concludes in October, the International Boundary and Water Commission reports that Mexico has allegedly provided less than 30 percent of its required share.
Trump responded, saying: “My Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins, is standing up for Texas farmers, and we will continue escalating consequences, including TARIFFS and potentially even SANCTIONS, until Mexico honors the treaty and GIVES TEXAS THE WATER THEY ARE OWED!”
In reply, Sheinbaum tweeted that Mexico has been complying “to the extent water is available” as the country faced three years of drought.
On Wednesday, Mexico submitted a proposal that includes short-term solutions to the water issue and confirmed that Sheinbaum has instructed her environment, agriculture, and foreign ministers to engage with U.S. officials, expressing confidence that “an agreement will be reached.”
