MEXICO CITY, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Tuesday that the country will hold a meeting with the United States to avert a potential additional 5 percent tariff proposed due to Mexico's failure to meet its water delivery obligations under a 1944 bilateral treaty.
"I am convinced that, as on other occasions, we will reach an agreement for the benefit of the United States and for the benefit of Mexico," Sheinbaum said during a press conference at the National Palace, adding that a virtual bilateral meeting was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Water Commission, and the International Boundary and Water Commission will take part in the meeting.
On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose the tariff, citing Mexico's failure to meet the terms of the 1944 water distribution agreement.
Under the treaty, Mexico is required to deliver 2.185 billion cubic meters of water from the Rio Grande to the United States every five years, while receiving 1.850 billion cubic meters annually from the Colorado River.
Trump accused Mexico of owing the United States more than 800,000 acre-feet of water (986.4 million cubic meters), saying that it was harming U.S. agriculture and livestock. He set a deadline for Mexico to release 200,000 acre-feet (246.6 million cubic meters) by Dec. 31, 2025, with the remaining amount to be delivered soon after.
Mexico, however, has delivered only one-third of the agreed amount for the current cycle, due to an "extraordinary" drought between 2022 and 2023, according to Roberto Velasco, Undersecretary for North America at the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ■