Trump threatens more tariffs on Mexico over water rights

Derek Wallbank and Maya Averbuch, Bloomberg News on Apr 10, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

President Donald Trump threatened fresh tariffs and possibly sanctions on Mexico, escalating a dispute about water at the U.S. southern border.

“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!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post Thursday.

The escalating tensions around water supplies come as Mexico and Texas struggle with drought conditions. More than 70% of the Rio Grande/Bravo River Basin, located in the U.S. and Mexico, was in moderate to exceptional drought conditions as of the end of February, according to the North American Drought Monitor.

The U.S. in March denied a Mexican request to send water to Tijuana, citing Mexican shortfalls in water deliveries. Trump contends Mexico owes about 1.3 million acre-feet of water in total under a 1944 treaty dividing the resources between the two countries. For context, an Olympic-sized swimming pool holds about 2 acre-feet of water.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, responding to Trump’s threat in a post on X, cited the drought and said that “to the extent water is available, Mexico has been complying” with the treaty.

She said that she’s directed her administration officials to “immediately contact” the U.S. Agriculture and State Departments.

“I am confident that, as on other issues, an agreement will be reached,” she added.