Politics

Mexico Insists Once Again It Won't Pay For Trump's Border 'Wall'

Mexico's foreign ministry said in a statement the country will not, "under any circumstances," pay for Donald Trump's proposed border wall.

Mexico Insists Once Again It Won't Pay For Trump's Border 'Wall'
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The Mexican government reiterated once again that it won't foot the bill for President Donald Trump's proposed border "wall."

Mexico's foreign ministry said in a press release Sunday the country will not, "under any circumstances," pay for a barrier on the border between the U.S. and Mexico. 

The statement was in response to a tweet Trump posted that morning. He said, "With Mexico being one of the highest crime Nations in the world, we must have THE WALL. Mexico will pay for it through reimbursement/other."

The border wall was one of Trump's signature campaign promises.

"I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will have Mexico pay for that wall," Trump said.

Government Will Waive Environmental Laws For Part Of The 'Border Wall'
Government Will Waive Environmental Laws For Part Of The 'Border Wall'

Government Will Waive Environmental Laws For Part Of The 'Border Wall'

The Department of Homeland Security issued a waiver for one area that lets it bypass laws and regulations normally required before construction.

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But Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto insists his country won't pick up the tab for the massive project.

During a rally in Phoenix last week, Trump said he's willing to shut down the government if Congress won't allocate funding to build the wall.

Still, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders later told reporters that threat doesn't necessarily mean Mexico won't pay for the barrier.

"But he's not saying that Mexico is going to pay for it now," one reporter said.

"He hasn't said they're not, either," Sanders said.

Last week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the first phase of the border wall project is back on track. That includes building multiple barrier prototypes along the border near San Diego.