Foreign Policy

Trump 'Absolutely' Still Wants Mexico To Pay For Border 'Wall'

While sitting next to Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters he still wants Mexico to pay for the project.

Trump 'Absolutely' Still Wants Mexico To Pay For Border 'Wall'
Office of the Mexican President
Article by Briana Koeneman
SMS
July 7, 2017

While seated next to Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto during the G-20 summit of leading world powers in Germany, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters he "absolutely" still wants to make good on one of his signature campaign promises.

Trump said in 2015 when he announced his presidential campaign: "I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will have Mexico pay for that wall."

It's unclear if Peña Nieto responded to Trump's most recent comment. Video released by the White House cuts off before the moment in question.

But Peña Nieto has previously made it clear his country won't foot the bill for the massive project.

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And it's been a big point of contention between the two leaders.

The last time Trump and Peña Nieto met in person was August of last year, when Trump stopped in Mexico City during his presidential campaign.

Peña Nieto was supposed to visit the U.S. after Trump took office in January.

But he canceled their meeting after he and Trump exchanged some heated words about the barrier's construction.

Estimates say the border barrier will cost billions of dollars. But the project seems to be moving along. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, prototypes should be built by September.