Washington – US President Donald Trump and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto spoke by telephone Friday, both leaders said, a day after tensions between the two leaders flared over construction of a wall on the border between their countries.
“We had a very good call. I have been very strong on Mexico,” Trump said in a joint press conference with visiting British premier Theresa May.
Mexico confirmed what it characterized as a “constructive and productive” telephone conversation between the two leaders a day after Pena Nieto scrapped a visit to Washington amid tensions over the wall.
The leaders discussed the US trade deficit with Mexico, the importance of friendship between the two countries and the need to work together to stop cross-border trafficking of drugs and weapons, according to a statement issued by the Mexican government.
Then Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (R) at a joint press conference with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto (L) after their meeting in Mexico City, on August 31, 2016. (Credit Image: © Ricardo Aldayturriaga/Xinhua via ZUMA Wire)
Trump did not elaborate on the content of the call, but repeated some of his trademark tough talk on the US-Mexico border and trade relations.
“As you know Mexico with the United States has outnegotiated us and beat us to a pulp through our past leaders,” Trump said.
“We are going to renegotiate our trade deals and … other aspects of our relationship with Mexico,” he added, saying the end result will be good for both countries.
Trump insisted his relationship with Pena Nieto is “very good” and that the two leaders were “going to be working on a fair relationship and a new relationship.”
The long-distance diplomacy came a day after Pena Nieto cancelled a trip to meet Trump in Washington planned for January 31, after Trump announced the imminent start to construction of a wall along the 3,200-kilometer US-Mexico border.
The wall, a cornerstone of Trump’s presidential campaign, is seen by Mexico as an insult to its sovereignty and a bilateral relationship of equals. It is only deepened by Trump’s insistence Mexico pay the construction bill – estimated at up to 40 billion dollars – something Pena Nieto has vociferously rejected.
The timing of the announcement was seen as especially provocative coming as Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray and Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo were in Washington for talks.
The standoff escalated further Thursday when the White House floated a tax on imports to pay for the wall. White House spokesman Sean Spicer later backtracked on the plan, calling it “one idea.”
On Friday, Guajardo downplayed the severity of the rift, telling the Televisa broadcaster bilateral meetings with Trump advisers had been cordial and productive despite the public spat between their bosses.
Mexico said that during Friday’s phone call, Trump and Pena Nieto agreed to keep quiet for now on the contentious issue of who will pay for the wall.
“The presidents agreed for now to not discuss this controversial subject publicly,” the Mexican presidency said.
– dpa
