WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD News) — As the United States and Mexico renegotiate the USMCA trade agreement, U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas) says she’s pushing to include the 1944 Water Treaty in the discussions.
“Our goal is to get the 1944 water treaty into the USMCA agreement. In fact, I held a round table about two weeks ago with the secretary of state, USDA, the White House, and our team to make sure that this treaty was part of the discussion when they are in talks with the USMCA agreement.”
De La Cruz says Mexico delivered the 202,000 acre-feet of water for South Texas it agreed to in December. She says the country is also on track to deliver the agreed 350,000 acre-feet of water this year.
“Number one, get dollars for our South Texas farmers who had crop losses. We also have got language in our appropriations bill that would allow the secretary of state to withhold funds from the Mexican government if they do not comply.”
De La Cruz also says one proposal would impose tariffs on Mexico if it does not comply with its obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty, calling it another effort to show the Mexican government the United States is serious.
South Texas U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar also weighed in ahead of the USMCA review, issuing the following statement to RFD News:
“With the USMCA review approaching, we should continue strengthening our relationship with Mexico while ensuring commitments like the 1944 Water Treaty are upheld. South Texas farmers, ranchers, and communities rely on Mexico delivering the water it owes under the treaty. The upcoming discussions provide an opportunity to reinforce accountability and work toward reliable water supplies for our region.”
Cuellar says any water agreement included in a renegotiated USMCA would also need stricter enforcement measures.
Frank McCaffrey reporting for RFD News.
