Source: Global Times

[Reporters of the Global Times: Yu Ruitong, Wang Jialin; Special Correspondent of the Global Times in the United States: Zhang Ning] According to a report by The New York Times on the 11th, local time on the 10th, US President Trump put pressure on neighboring Mexico over water disputes, accusing it of failing to fulfill a water allocation agreement signed between the two countries in the 1940s, and threatened countermeasures including tariff increases.

Fox News reported that on the 10th, Trump posted on his social media "Real Social" blaming Mexico for violating the 1944 Water Treaty signed by the two countries, owing approximately 1.6 billion cubic meters of water that should have been supplied to the U.S. "This (water debt) is very unfair and is severely harming farmers in southern Texas. The only sugar factory in Texas was forced to close last year, just because Mexico stole water that belonged to Texas farmers." He stated that the U.S. would "escalate countermeasures - including tariffs or sanctions" until Mexico "returns the water owed to Texas." Currently, the U.S. has already imposed a 25% tariff on goods imported from Mexico that do not comply with the USMCA.

The Mexican newspaper Milenio reported that Mexican President Lopez Obrador posted on the platform X on the 10th, responding to the criticism. In the face of consecutive severe droughts in Mexico, he said that the Mexican side had fulfilled its obligations within its capacity. Lopez Obrador stated that Mexico had submitted a proposal to solve the water supply problem in Texas to the U.S. side on the 9th and instructed relevant department heads to immediately communicate with the U.S. side.

According to reports, under the 1944 Water Treaty between the U.S. and Mexico, Mexico needs to deliver a certain amount of water to the U.S. every five years, and the current five-year cycle will end this October. However, data from the International Boundary and Water Commission show that Mexico has delivered less than 30% of the agreed amount. Mexican officials stated that historic droughts caused by climate change have hindered Mexico's fulfillment of its obligations. Geographer Gonzalo from the National Autonomous University of Mexico said that the situation is "critical," and "only if there are huge storms during the upcoming August and September rainy season can Mexico miraculously provide enough water." For this, El Economista reported that the treaty has provisions allowing the unfulfilled amount of water to be carried over into the next five-year cycle. It is worth noting that Reuters reported that the treaty also stipulates that the U.S. must deliver water to Mexico annually, and the U.S. has also reduced water supply due to drought recently.

Regarding the U.S. claim that "Mexico violated the treaty" and therefore sanctions including punitive tariffs should be imposed on Mexico, some U.S. media reported that it cannot be said now. According to a report by The Santa Maria Times on the 11th, scholar Delaparra has studied the water resources along the U.S.-Mexico border for more than 30 years. He said, "Although Mexico's delivery has been delayed," it cannot be said that the country violated the treaty because the current cycle has not ended yet.

Fox News reported that the U.S. and Mexico have had frictions over this treaty multiple times, and this water shortage caused by drought is the most serious one in nearly 30 years. The U.S. Western Hemisphere Affairs Bureau announced last month that it would refuse to supply water to Tijuana, Mexico, stating that "Mexico's continuous breach is destroying American agriculture." Senator Cruz of Texas once said that southern Texas is facing a "man-made water crisis," and claimed that he would force Mexico to fulfill its obligations, praising the U.S. decision to suspend water supply to Tijuana as very wise.

Milenio conducted an online survey among readers on questions such as "Do you think the U.S. will impose tariffs on products affecting other countries in Mexico?" and "What do you think of the U.S. measures?" About 70% of the voting readers "opposed" the U.S. tariff policy. Some comments said, "We must reconsider the North American Free Trade Agreement and consider turning to other countries. Mexico needs to find other partners and build more alliances with China." Another reader commented, "In the short term, American people will be dissatisfied with their leaders, inflation, unemployment, and economic recession will affect the next election. In the long run, the U.S. economy will face a disaster. China is very strong in world trade. Protectionism is destined to lead to failure."

An editorial article published by Milenio on the 10th stated, "Tariffs are like a bitter economic poison and should not be used arbitrarily because they cannot directly increase profit margins but only add to people's debts."

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7492191085331071542/

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