ADVERTISEMENT

Turning other cheek, Mexican president vows Trump talks

But he said he is prepared to "modernize" aspects of the deal, including on environmental and labor issues.

President Enrique Pena Nieto and now US President-elect Donald Trump met in August 2016, in a move that was widely seen as a diplomatic faux-pas given Trump's repeated attacks on Mexican immigrants during his campaign

Pena Nieto, whose country relies on the United States as its largest trading partner, was cautious as he discussed the impending change of leadership north of the border at a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders.

"In the face of the positions that president-elect Trump has taken, we are prioritizing dialogue as a path to build a new agenda for our bilateral relations," Pena Nieto said during a roundtable on trade at the summit in Lima, Peru

"For Mexico, our relation with the United States is central, given the level of trade and integration we have now," he added.

ADVERTISEMENT

"Mexico, like the rest of the world, is about to begin a new era in our relations with the United States, and in trade terms we want to give that relationship its fair value."

But Pena Nieto also had thinly veiled criticism for the protectionist policies embraced by Trump, who has attacked free-trade agreements as sending American jobs to Mexico and other countries with cheaper labor.

"Let's not allow ourselves to be confused by these protectionist sentiments that are starting to grow in different parts of the world. I believe globalization has brought more benefits than harm," Pena Nieto said.

He pushed back against Trump's calls to tear up or renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between Mexico, the United States and Canada, saying his country "will continue to be a fervent believer in openness."

Trump sharply criticized NAFTA and other trade deals on the campaign trail, saying they sent American jobs to countries with cheaper labor.

ADVERTISEMENT

The brash billionaire also insulted Mexican immigrants as criminals and rapists, vowed to force Mexico to pay billions of dollars to build a wall along the border, and threatened to restrict the remittances that the 34 million Mexican immigrants in the United States send home.

Peso under fire

Trade between Mexico and the United States totaled $532 billion last year.

Mexico gets crucial access to the US market through NAFTA, which took effect in 1994.

Pena Nieto met Saturday with the deal's other key leader, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, on the sidelines of the summit.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Mexican leader also met Trump during the US campaign -- a sit-down that was fiercely criticized in Mexico at the time, but was hailed as visionary by some after the election.

Pena Nieto plans to meet Trump again before he takes office on January 20.

Mexico has been in the line of fire for the political and market turbulence unleashed by Trump's shock win last week.

The Mexican peso -- which rose and fell during the campaign in inverse relation to Trump's performance in the polls -- was rocked by the election, plunging to a record low.

The Mexican stock market also sank 3.68 percent.

ADVERTISEMENT

The turmoil caused the central bank to raise its key interest rate this week to counter inflationary pressure.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Kaduna Gov grants scholarship to 137 rescued schoolchildren, son of late teacher

Kaduna Gov grants scholarship to 137 rescued schoolchildren, son of late teacher

Siamese twin gets married while still conjoined with her sister

Siamese twin gets married while still conjoined with her sister

LP BoT kicks out Abure despite convention victory, takes over party affairs

LP BoT kicks out Abure despite convention victory, takes over party affairs

6 Labour Party lawmakers defect to PDP in Enugu State

6 Labour Party lawmakers defect to PDP in Enugu State

Tinubu's special assistant donates food items to 1,700 residents in FCT

Tinubu's special assistant donates food items to 1,700 residents in FCT

Anambra PASAN begins strike over Soludo's failure to grant financial autonomy

Anambra PASAN begins strike over Soludo's failure to grant financial autonomy

Governor Sanwo-Olu pays ₦4.48 billion to 1,455 retirees in accrued pensions

Governor Sanwo-Olu pays ₦4.48 billion to 1,455 retirees in accrued pensions

Court discharges ex-AGF Adoke, 6 others in Malabu oil scam case

Court discharges ex-AGF Adoke, 6 others in Malabu oil scam case

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT