Trump threatens Mexico with 5% tariff increase over water dispute

Trump threatens Mexico with 5% tariff increase over water dispute
President Trump gestures as he attends a roundtable discussion on the day he announced an aid package for farmers, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., December 8, 2025
Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to impose a 5% tariff on Mexico, accusing the country of violating a water-sharing treaty.

"The U.S. needs Mexico to release 200,000 acre-feet of water before December 31st, and the rest must come soon after. As of now, Mexico is not responding, and it is very unfair to our U.S. farmers who deserve this much-needed water," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

The threat of additional tariffs comes amidst ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Mexico over the water-sharing agreement, which is central to managing the shared water resources of the Rio Grande and other rivers that flow along the border. Trump’s statement highlights the urgency of the situation, with the deadline for the water release rapidly approaching.

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