President Donald Trump Announces Sanctions Against Mexico Alongside Tariff Measures

President Donald Trump Announces Sanctions Against Mexico Alongside Tariff Measures
April 11, 2025 – U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Mexico, stating that if it fails to deliver the agreed water supply from the Rio Grande to South Texas farmers, his administration will impose tariffs—and, if necessary, sanctions—on the country.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote:
“Under the 1944 water treaty, Mexico is obligated to deliver 1.3 million acre-feet of water to Texas, but they are breaking that promise. This is extremely unfair and causing severe damage to South Texas farmers.”

He further claimed:
“Last year, Texas’s only sugar mill shut down because Mexico stole water from Texas farmers. Senator Ted Cruz is leading the fight, but Sleepy Joe (President Biden) has done nothing for our farmers. This ends now!”

Treaty Violation & Water Crisis

Trump continued:
“I will make sure Mexico cannot violate its agreement with the United States. Just last month, I shut down water delivery to Tijuana until Mexico complies with the 1944 treaty.”

According to that treaty, Mexico must deliver 1.75 million acre-feet of water from the Rio Grande to the U.S. every five years. However, the most severe drought in three decades has intensified water scarcity, sparking fresh tensions between the U.S. and Mexico.

Texas Citrus Industry in Peril

Texas’s agriculture—particularly citrus and the sugar industry—heavily depends on this water. After California and Florida, Texas is the third-largest citrus-producing state in the U.S. Agricultural groups in Texas have already warned of a looming disastrous farming season.

Diplomatic Fallout & Sanctions Message

The U.S. State Department's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Mexico has consistently failed to meet its treaty-based water delivery obligations. This is severely affecting U.S. agricultural output, especially in the Rio Grande Valley.”

In response to a Mexican request, the U.S. has—for the first time—rejected a proposal to open a special channel to deliver water to Tijuana from the Colorado River.

Ted Cruz’s Position

Senator Ted Cruz stated that South Texas is suffering from a “man-made water crisis,” and he is working with the Trump administration to pressure Mexico in the Senate.

He said:
“Texas farmers are in crisis due to Mexico’s negligence. I will make sure they fulfill the treaty and deliver water to Texas.”

Sources: Truth Social, X, Reuters, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs