Mexican President: We Will Not Pay for the Mexico-US Wall

Enrique Peña Nieto, the President of Mexico, stated that his country will not pay for the wall promised by Donald Trump to be built at the US-Mexico border. According to the Associated Press, Mr. Nieto said on Wednesday, January 11, during a meeting with Mexican ambassadors and consuls, "It is clear that we have disagreements with the incoming US government, such as the issue of the wall, which Mexico will not pay for." He emphasized that "our fundamental principles, such as national independence, are non-negotiable." Meanwhile, Donald Trump reiterated in a press conference on Wednesday that Mexico would pay for the construction of the wall at the southern US border to prevent illegal immigration. The President of Mexico also stressed that any negotiations with the US government must include stopping the illegal transfer of weapons and money from the US to Mexico. Reuters also noted that the President of Mexico stated that to avoid any economic shock, negotiations with the incoming US government must cover all topics in bilateral relations, including security, immigration, and trade. Donald Trump, the President-elect of the US, has threatened to terminate the trade agreements between the two countries if he cannot change the terms to favor the US in future negotiations with Mexico. Mr. Trump's comments have led to a decrease in the value of the peso, Mexico's currency, and raised concerns about foreign investments in the country. The President of Mexico emphasized that he is seeking an agreement that benefits both countries. He stated, "All aspects of our bilateral relations are on the table for review and negotiation, including security, immigration, and trade." Peña Nieto made these remarks to outline the framework of his policies for negotiating with the Trump administration. Last month, Reuters reported that the Mexican government intends to leverage issues such as security and immigration in negotiations with the Trump administration to gain concessions in trade relations. By providing guarantees for stricter border control, Mexico may be able to secure better trade agreements. In this context, the President of Mexico reiterated on Wednesday that more resources will be allocated for better border control but once again stated the longstanding position of the Mexican government that it will not accept the costs of building the wall. He said the US government is also responsible for the wave of migrants trying to reach the country and must also stop the illegal transfer of weapons and money from the US to Mexican criminal gangs. The Mexican government claims that during Peña Nieto's presidency, the number of illegal immigrants being deported from Mexico has increased and emphasizes the importance of cooperation with US law enforcement agencies in combating the rise of deadly drug trafficking, such as heroin, from Mexico to the US. Mexican officials have stated that if Donald Trump intends to harm Mexico in trade and economic matters, they will have no incentive to support the US in other areas, such as security or the fight against drug trafficking.