Donald Trump was told Wednesday that Mexico would not pay for a border wall, a spokesman for Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto says, despite Trump’s earlier claims that who would foot the bill was not discussed.
Trump travelled to Mexico Wednesday to meet with Pena Nieto, and touted a wall along the border as mutually beneficial.
Pena Nieto invited the Republican presidential nominee to visit; the two met privately before holding a joint press conference in Mexico City.
Trump’s visit was met with protests and hostility by many Mexicans, who haven’t taken to lightly to Trump generalizing them as criminals and rapists.
Speaking to media, an uncharacteristically reserved Trump said it was a great honour to be invited. He then spouted off a number of reasons why border protection is needed for the benefit of both countries — to prevent human trafficking, and to stop the movement of drugs and weapons.
However, Trump says he didn’t discuss with the Mexican leader who would pay for the wall.
“We did discuss the wall,” said Trump. “We didn’t discuss payment of the wall — that’ll be for a later date.”
However, hours after the press conference Reuters was told by a spokesman for Pena Nieto that the two had in fact discussed paying for the wall, and Trump was told Mexico would not pay for the barrier.
Trump has said repeatedly that Mexico would be on the hook for the wall.
The border between the two countries is 3,201 kilometres long, with about 930 kilometres of barriers currently in place.
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Having a secure border is a “sovereign right,” for citizens of both the U.S. and Mexico, Trump said, and a wall would offer the shared objective of safety.
“Illegal immigration is a problem for Mexico as well as for us, drugs are a tremendous problem as well as us, it’s not a one-way street. And we will work together and we will get those problems solved.”
The pair also discussed trade, with Trump telling Pena Nieto he feels NAFTA is not fair to the U.S., and must be improved upon.
Trump said the two countries share many interests and challenges, including the loss of jobs to overseas markets.
READ MORE: Donald Trump’s meeting with Enrique Pena Nieto leaves Mexicans infuriated
Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton’s camp was clearly monitoring the awkward interaction — and took the time to post a refresher of some of the less-than-flattering things the billionaire has said about Mexico and illegal immigrants.
Clinton later tweeted a response to the wall payment confusion using Trump’s own words.
Trump’s visit to Mexico was being watched closely, largely due to his hard line on immigration. Trump has pledged repeatedly to deport 11 million people living in the United States illegally, along with tightening the border.
He’s recently appeared to soften his stance in an attempt to earn the trust of Hispanic voters.
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