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Agriculture Secretary Brook Rollins raised pressure on Mexico against the growing water crisis that threatens farmers in South Texas, and announced on Friday that high-level discussions with Mexican officials could finally lead to a breakthrough.
“I just finished a productive call with my great Deputy Director Chris Landau and my counterpart in Mexico.
“We’re moving fast – stay tuned for the latest news.”
Rollins added, “American agriculture has been seeking this relief for years and hasn’t got it. What has changed now is the US president who is willing to do what it takes to make it happen.”
Trump threatens tariffs and sanctions against Mexico for “stealing” water from farmers in Texas
In an interview on Agriter Crater on Friday, Rollins revealed how fast things are moving. She said that President Donald Trump had scheduled a speech shortly after the post on true social social about stealing our farmers’ water, “She was contacted by a Mexican official.”
“Let me give you an example. As I said last night, that true society came up about Mexico’s water and how Mexico steals farmers’ water.
“Whether it’s tariffs or sanctions, we’re going to stand up to citrus growers and others who rely on their Mexican waters, and within two hours of becoming socialized for that truth, Mexican people were calling on me to call this morning.”
Her message is building frustration in Mexico, where water delivery is lacking under the 1944 Water Treaty.
Mexico dumps millions of gallons of sewage into the Tijuana River.
The treaty requires Mexico to send 1.75 million acre feet of water to the United States every five years from the tributaries feeding the Rio Grande. Trump said Mexico has been delayed by more than 1.3 million acres, and has ravaged farmers in South Texas, particularly during an ongoing drought situation.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Thursday, Rollins said the administration is in regular contact with governors and agricultural leaders.
US Secretary of Agriculture Brook Rollins (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC this week
After speaking with “10 governors” early that morning, Rollins said the team focused on supporting farmers, especially farmers who grow wheat and sorghum.
“We believe that these changes will create unlimited and unprecedented prosperity for these farmers in a short period of time,” she said.
President Trump also addressed the true social water issue on Thursday, blowing up Mexico’s failure to fulfill its obligations, warning of the consequences if it doesn’t step up.
“This is very unfair and hurts the farmers in South Texas very badly,” he wrote. “Last year, Texas’s only sugar factory was closed because Mexico steals water from Texas farmers.
US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, DHS Security Christie Noem and Agriculture Secretary Brook Rollins in the White House’s oval office this week. (Anna Money Maker/Getty Images)
“We will continue to escalate, including tariffs and perhaps even sanctions until Mexico respects the treaty. That’s over now!”
Sen. R-Texas, Sen. Ted Cruz, supported the administration’s stance, calling the water shortage a “artificial crisis” and vowed to maintain pressure.
“Texas farmers are in danger due to Mexican violations,” Cruz wrote in X.
The Western Hemisphere Bureau denied a request for a special water supply to Tijuana last month.
“Mexico’s continued shortage in water delivery under the 1944 Water Sharing Treaty is destroying American agriculture,” the agency posted. “Today, for the first time, the US will deny Mexico’s non-therapeutic demands.”
President Donald Trump and Brook Rollins (Mark Wilson/Getty Images) in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in 2018
It’s not the first time the US and Mexico have clashed over the 1944 treaty, but officials say one of the worst droughts in nearly 30 years has made things worse.
Rollins thanked Mexican counterpart, Agriculture Secretary Manuel Villalobos Aramura.
Director Rollins joined RFD-TV Friday morning to consider negotiations.
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“Well, you know, without you giving too much secret information yet, we quickly went out and started setting up an argument,” Rollins said.
“Of course, this isn’t necessarily a USDA, but I’ve partnered with Secretary Rubio in the state and I’ve been talking to other counterparts today, and I hope it can be resolved very quickly. The water will probably move.”
The USDA did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Greg Wehner of Fox News contributed to this report.
Jasmine is a writer for Fox News Digital and is a New Orleans-based military spouse. Stories can be sent to jasmine.baehr@fox.com
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