At Thursday's Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) questioned Ronald Johnson, nominee for Ambassador to Mexico.
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NewsTranscript
00:00to serve our nation yet again. Ambassador Johnson, let me start with you.
00:07As you know, a topic that we discussed in my office last week, in 1944 the United States and Mexico
00:14signed a treaty to manage the water from the Colorado, Tijuana, and Rio Grande Rivers.
00:19This treaty requires Mexico to provide 350,000 acre-feet of water annualized over five years.
00:26However, Mexico has consistently failed to uphold its end of the bargain.
00:31We are nearing the end of the current five-year cycle and Mexico is behind by over one million acre-feet of water.
00:39The results have been catastrophic for Texas farmers and towns.
00:45Entire industries are dying. This crisis simply cannot be allowed to continue.
00:51As you and I discussed, this issue colors every single aspect of our relationship with Mexico.
00:58Last year I introduced language to impose real costs on Mexico for these failures.
01:03I intend to advance that language again this year.
01:07However, in the meantime, the State Department already has the power to hold Mexico accountable.
01:12I'd like to work immediately and closely with you to address this issue.
01:17As you know, I also discussed this issue with Secretary Rubio, including in this committee.
01:22He agrees that addressing this crisis must be a priority.
01:27Talk to us about this a little. What options do we have to secure Mexico's compliance with the treaty?
01:35Sir, thank you for the question and thank you for your time recently to discuss it.
01:40I'll confess I didn't know what the 1944 water treaty was until you brought that up.
01:46It is of course a concern to me when anyone is impacted in the United States because of another country's failure to meet their obligations.
01:58That said, I know the current government in Mexico is relatively new.
02:02I think they were about four years behind in providing water at the rate they had committed when President Shane Baum took office.
02:11I think it's important to contact them immediately, frequently, and make sure they understand that they are getting behind on their commitment
02:21and make sure that they understand what the outcome could be if they do.
02:25I know when we discussed it, you were very adamant that you've been a big supporter of Mexico,
02:33but it could go the other way if they fail to meet their obligations.
02:37I will deliver that message and I will deliver it consistently, as will the other officers that represent the U.S. government in Mexico.
02:44I look forward to working with you on the issue and I think we can make progress.
02:49Well, it's worth underscoring that I've authored and passed through this committee and into law
02:53legislation expediting the permitting of four new bridges from South Texas to Mexico.
02:57So when it comes to legal and lawful trade between Texas and Mexico, I'm an enthusiastic supporter.
03:03However, if they flout their treaty obligations to the detriment of Texas farmers and Texas residents, that is a real problem.
03:14If confirmed, how do you view your role in helping alleviate this crisis?
03:20Thank you, Senator. Again, I think, obviously, we'll not be, if confirmed, we'll not be involved in making policy,
03:28but implementing policy and informing policy.
03:32My job, as I see it, is to continue to work with you and your office and other members of Congress,
03:39as well as with the White House and the State Department and other offices in the U.S. government and the Mexican government
03:45to make sure that we all understand what those commitments are and that we are keeping a sharp eye on them meeting the commitments.
03:53I think the key in this case is they're behind more than they could catch up in these final months.
04:01So I think if we ensure that water is delivered early and on time and in compliance with the agreement that's made, I think we'll see a great improvement.
04:12Thank you. Ambassador Glass, as you know and as you've said, the U.S.-Japan alliance is a cornerstone of U.S. security interests in the Indo-Pacific.
04:22Our Japanese allies are critically important for advancing our interests and preserving peace and security both in the Indo-Pacific and across the globe.
04:30And, of course, a strong U.S.-Japan relationship is crucial to countering China's global malign activities.
04:39The Trump administration recognizes this core reality, and I'm heartened that the administration and this committee is expeditiously advancing your nomination.
04:47Your role will be crucial.
04:50Within the region, the Quad—Australia, India, Japan, and the U.S.—is critical to our security architecture.
04:57Talk a bit about the Quad and the role of Japan within it.
05:02That's a great question, Senator. Thank you.
05:06While I was in Portugal, we actually, eight years ago, when President Trump started redeveloping and introducing the Quad as a format,
05:17we actually had Quad meetings once a quarter with India, Australia, and Japan.
05:23And we were holding that as to taking a look at the global issues that were affecting Europe at the time.
05:29I come to find out how valuable that group really is.
05:33These are tremendous allies, and our ability to work with them only shows the Chinese that we have—it's not just us standing alone.
05:44So the Trump administration vision of a free and prosperous Indo-China—I'm sorry, Indo-Pacific—is only carried by our ability to work within that entire region.
05:58So I'm also very worried about China's control over global supply chains, especially in key sectors that affect our national security.
06:07Can you tell me how you plan to help Japan diversify its supply chains and reduce its economic reliance on China?
06:16And also, in particular, focus on critical minerals and how we can expand our bilateral cooperation in this space.
06:26I have a bit of a background in critical minerals.
06:29And it's something that is—if we can break that supply chain from China, it frees our—we have economic freedom to move forward in so many different sectors, specifically technology.
06:43But we have to build a reserve in America.
06:46And there are private entities that are doing that right now that I'm aware of, but also the U.S. government.
06:53We have a reserve for our military, but we don't have a reserve for industry.
06:57And so as we go out and begin mining and working with other countries around the world, we've got to be able to create a reserve that we can share with our allies to make sure that we keep this economic flow in the supply chain going.
07:11It's—I mean, I hate to use the phrase, but it's critical that we get that done.
07:17Thank you, Senator.