On Monday, former President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Mexico, highlighting the detrimental impact on Texan farmers if the country fails to fulfill its water delivery obligations outlined in a long-standing treaty. Trump suggested that a new tariff could be enforced if Mexico does not promptly release a crucial portion of the water it is required to provide.

Through a statement on Truth Social, Trump emphasized that Mexico must supply 200,000 acre-feet of water as stipulated by the 1944 Water Treaty by the end of December, or they could face a 5% tariff.

“Mexico’s ongoing breach of our comprehensive Water Treaty is causing significant harm to our BEAUTIFUL TEXAS CROPS AND LIVESTOCK,” Trump stated. “Over the past five years, Mexico has accumulated a debt of more than 800,000 acre-feet of water to the US due to non-compliance with our Treaty.”

Trump further noted, “The United States requires Mexico to release 200,000 acre-feet of water before December 31st, with the remainder expected shortly thereafter.”

He concluded by pointing out the lack of response from Mexico, calling it unfair to American farmers who are in dire need of this water. “Consequently, I have approved the necessary documentation to impose a 5% tariff on Mexico if this water is not released IMMEDIATELY,” he declared.

“The longer Mexico takes to release the water, the more our Farmers are hurt. Mexico has an obligation to FIX THIS NOW,” he added.

Texas farm groups warned last year of a disastrous season for citrus and sugar as Mexican and US officials worked to resolve a dispute over the 1944 treaty that supplies US farmers with critical irrigation.

The two countries have clashed over the treaty before, but drought-driven shortages were the most severe in nearly 30 years.

In April, the Trump administration and Mexican officials reached a deal to ensure Texas farmers get much-needed water from the Rio Grande, less than a month after Trump accused Mexico of withholding water promised under the treaty.

Under that agreement, Mexico committed to send water from international reservoirs and increase US flow from six of Mexico’s Rio Grande tributaries through the end of the current five-year water cycle.

US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins called the measure a significant step forward and said the Trump administration welcomes Mexico’s continued cooperation in support of American agriculture.

Under the 1944 Water Treaty, Mexico agreed to deliver 1.75 million acre-feet of water over five years from the Rio Grande.

In exchange, the US agreed to deliver 1.5 million acre-feet to Mexico from the Colorado River.

But Mexico has fallen short at times, leading to severe water shortages in the Rio Grande Valley for farmers and ranchers.

Those shortages have killed crops and jobs and threatened the region’s economy.