Trump Vows Retaliation as Mexico Fails to Deliver Water Owed Under 1944 Treaty: “Texas Farmers Deserve Justice”
By The Western Journal Staff
President Donald Trump delivered a stern warning to Mexico this week, declaring that the United States will escalate consequences—potentially including tariffs and sanctions—until Mexico fulfills its longstanding treaty obligation to supply water to Texas farmers.
A Treaty in Crisis
At the heart of the conflict is the 1944 Water Treaty, an agreement in which Mexico is obligated to deliver 1.75 million acre-feet of water every five years from the Rio Grande to the United States. In return, the U.S. supplies water from the Colorado River to Mexico. While the U.S. has remained consistent in its deliveries—about 490 billion gallons annually—Mexico has fallen severely behind on its commitment.
“We’ve only gotten about a year’s worth of water, and we’re already well into our fourth year,” said Maria Elena Giner, the U.S. commissioner for the International Boundary and Water Commission.
Trump: ‘That Ends Now’
In a forceful post on Truth Social, Trump laid the blame squarely on the Mexican government and the Biden administration’s unwillingness to act.
“Mexico OWES Texas 1.3 million acre-feet of water… and it is hurting South Texas Farmers very badly,” Trump wrote. “That ends now! I will make sure Mexico doesn’t violate our Treaties, and doesn’t hurt our Texas Farmers.”
Trump emphasized the closure of Texas’ last remaining sugar mill—the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers mill—as a direct result of the water shortfall. The historic facility shut down operations, citing Mexico’s failure to deliver treaty water as the primary cause.
U.S. Denies Mexico’s Water Request for First Time Ever
In a historic move, the U.S. State Department, under Trump’s direction, denied a request from Mexico for emergency water to supply Tijuana, marking the first such denial since the treaty’s inception in 1944. The decision signaled a dramatic shift in U.S. posture, with the administration prioritizing American farmers over diplomatic leniency.
Rollins, Cruz, and the Texas Pushback
Trump praised Texas Senator Ted Cruz and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for leading the charge in defense of Texas agriculture.
“My Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins, is standing up for Texas Farmers,” Trump stated. “We will keep escalating consequences, including TARIFFS and, maybe even SANCTIONS, until Mexico honors the Treaty.”
Mexico Responds with Drought Excuse
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded by claiming the treaty was being honored “to the extent water is available,” blaming drought conditions for the shortfall. However, farmers in South Texas say the impact has already been devastating.
“The sugar industry is lost to Texas and will never return,” said Brian Jones, a farmer in Hidalgo County and Texas Farm Bureau board member. “Farmers in the Rio Grande Valley are either out of water or running out of water quickly.”
A Brewing Water War
The tension underscores a growing rift between the United States and Mexico, not only over immigration and trade, but now over basic water access and agricultural survival. For the Trump administration, this is about national sovereignty, fair trade, and justice for American farmers who have been ignored for too long.
“We must defend our people, our farmers, and our land,” Trump said. “No more one-sided treaties. No more weak leadership.”
As South Texas continues to wither, the White House is preparing to turn up the pressure, with diplomatic consequences looming if Mexico fails to act.
