Mexican president rebuffs Trump on wall executive order
Mexican president rebuffs Trump on wall executive order
01/25/17 10:22 PM EST
http://thehill.com/sites/default/fil...?itok=VO3H0f33
Mexican President Enrique Peņa Nieto reaffirmed Wednesday that Mexico will not pay for a border wall, in response to President Donald Trump's executive actions on immigration.
Trump signed two executive orders Wednesday, one mandating the construction of the wall and the reinforcement of internal immigration enforcement, and the other punishing so-called "sanctuary cities."
"Far from uniting us, it divides us," Peņa Nieto said in a recorded video message. "Mexico does not believe in walls."
Peņa Nieto said that Mexican consulates in the United States would "become authentic defenders of the rights of migrants."
Mexico operates the largest single-nation consular network in the world, with 50 consulates across the United States.
Two Mexican cabinet secretaries were in meetings with top Trump administration officials at the White House as Trump announced the orders at the Department of Homeland Security.
Secretaries of Foreign Relations Luis Videgaray and of the Economy Ildefonso Guajardo will continue preliminary talks Thursday on the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Construction of a border wall and the renegotiation or withdrawal from NAFTA were key campaign promises for Trump. After pledging that Mexico will pay for the project, Trump has said that the U.S. will front the money and be reimbursed later.
Peņa Nieto is scheduled to meet Trump in Washington next week. Several reports indicated Peņa Nieto could cancel his trip as retaliation for the announcement to build the wall. He made no mention of the visit in his brief remarks.
Several opposition politicians in Mexico demanded the cancellation, and senators from Peņa Nieto's own party said they would support the president if he chose to stay home.
Peņa Nieto said in his address he had consulted his response with the country's Senate and governors.
"Mexico offers, and demands, respect," Peņa Nieto said.
"Mexico reaffirms its friendship with the people of the United States, and its will to reach agreements with its government. Agreements that favor Mexico and Mexicans."
http://thehill.com/latino/316224-mexican-president-rebuffs-trump-on-wall-executive-order