President Donald Trump has threatened to impose an additional 5% tariff on imports from Mexico if the country does not immediately release water supplies that the U.S. government says are due under a 1944 treaty. In a social media post, Trump confirmed he has signed a document to implement the tariffs if Mexico does not act quickly. He said the longer the water remains in Mexico, the greater the harm to farmers in the United States, particularly those along the border.

The U.S. government says Mexico is still short about 865,000 acre-feet of water required under the treaty. The U.S. needs about 200,000 acre-feet of water delivered by December 31, with the remainder requested soon after. The dispute has sparked renewed tensions because water supplies are crucial for farmers in South Texas. Officials from both countries had previously met to discuss ways to mitigate the shortfall and ensure Mexico remains compliant with the treaty.

Trump said this situation is "very unfair" to U.S. farmers who believe they have a right to the water. This statement came just hours after his administration announced a $12 billion aid package to help farmers affected by its own tariff war. This pressure on Mexico over water adds to a long list of trade conflicts and tariff policies that have already put pressure on the American agricultural sector.

In addition to the water issue, Trump has also imposed tariffs on some Mexican imports not covered by the USMCA trade agreement, claiming to pressure Mexico to crack down harder on fentanyl trafficking. Meanwhile, the Mexican government is trying to find a solution, including a meeting between Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Trump at a World Cup draw in Washington, to discuss ways to lower tariffs and defuse trade tensions between the two countries. (az)

Source: Newsmaker.id