In an epic post on his Truth Social platform, President Donald Trump announced that he would be blocking Mexico from stealing water from American farmers, alleging that it has long done so in violation of a 1944 treaty, and that our southern neighbor has, in doing so, put farmers in Texas out of work.
As background, the treaty at issue is the Treaty Relating to the Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande, informally referred to as the 1944 Water Treaty. Texas has alleged, in a cause now championed by the president, that Mexico has not fulfilled its duties and obligations as established the treaty, which establishes how America and Mexico share water from the two rivers, the Rio Grande and the Tijuana.
Water sharing under the treaty has been an issue for years, with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s office released a statement in 2020 on its efforts to get the Mexicans to comply with their obligations. Commenting on the importance of finding a solution, the governor said, “This agreement helps ensure that water obligations will be met before the end of this cycle, providing a much-needed resource to communities in the region.”
Building on that, the governor further explained, This water is essential for Texans along the Rio Grande to grow crops, provide food, and support local municipalities and businesses. Thank you to TCEQ and Secretary Pompeo for working diligently with Mexican officials to secure this agreement and fulfill the terms of the treaty.”
Despite the governor’s high hopes in 2020, Mexico has still, allegedly, not fulfilled its treaty obligations. So, President Trump stood up for American farmers and took it to task in his statement posted to Truth Social. Beginning, he said, “Mexico OWES Texas 1.3 million acre-feet of water under the 1944 Water Treaty, but Mexico is unfortunately violating their Treaty obligation.”
Continuing, he explained the high cost of Mexico’s non-compliance to farmers in Texas, saying, “This is very unfair, and it is hurting South Texas Farmers very badly. Last year, the only Sugar Mill in Texas CLOSED, because Mexico has been stealing the water from Texas Farmers. Ted Cruz has been leading the fight to get South Texas the water it is owed, but Sleepy Joe refused to lift a finger to help the Farmers.”
He then explained that he would be blocking water shipments until the Mexicans fulfill their obligations, writing, “THAT ENDS NOW! I will make sure Mexico doesn’t violate our Treaties, and doesn’t hurt our Texas Farmers. Just last month, I halted water shipments to Tijuana until Mexico complies with the 1944 Water Treaty.”
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Concluding, he noted that even sanctions are on the table to force Mexico into compliance. saying, “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!”
Watch a local media report on the water matter here:
Mexico, of course, is far from the only nation that President Trump has taken action against as his administration kicks into high gear in its fight for the rights of Americans to engage in fair trade and business with the world. He also has used tariffs as a bludgeon to attack China and force the rest of the world to the negotiating table.
Posting about that on Truth Social, he said sky-high tariffs would be used to force China to stop ripping off American businesses. He wrote, “Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the World’s Markets, I am hereby raising the Tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125%, effective immediately. At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realize that the days of ripping off the U.S.A., and other Countries, is no longer sustainable or acceptable.”
Continuing, the president said that other countries would be treated somewhat more mercifully, but still have the sword of Damocles hanging over them, writing, “Conversely, and based on the fact that more than 75 Countries have called Representatives of the United States, including the Departments of Commerce, Treasury, and the USTR, to negotiate a solution to the subjects being discussed relative to Trade, Trade Barriers, Tariffs, Currency Manipulation, and Non Monetary Tariffs, and that these Countries have not, at my strong suggestion, retaliated in any way, shape, or form against the United States, I have authorized a 90 day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period, of 10%, also effective immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”