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Mexico unveils strategy to counter slurs from Donald Trump Mexico unveils strategy to counter slurs from Donald Trump
(6 months later)
Mexico’s government is planning a diplomatic push to counter aggressive rhetoric against its nationals in the US election race, after calls by Donald Trump for a massive wall to divide the two nations.Mexico’s government is planning a diplomatic push to counter aggressive rhetoric against its nationals in the US election race, after calls by Donald Trump for a massive wall to divide the two nations.
Republican presidential candidates Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz have also proposed building a wall along the US-Mexico border, but it is Trump who has taken the hardest line against the United States’ southern neighbour.Republican presidential candidates Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz have also proposed building a wall along the US-Mexico border, but it is Trump who has taken the hardest line against the United States’ southern neighbour.
Related: Two former Mexican presidents compare Donald Trump to Hitler
The Republican front-runner has labelled Mexican migrants as drug runners and rapists, proposed mass deportations of undocumented immigrants and said Mexico is “killing” the United States with cheap labor.The Republican front-runner has labelled Mexican migrants as drug runners and rapists, proposed mass deportations of undocumented immigrants and said Mexico is “killing” the United States with cheap labor.
Francisco Guzman, Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto’s chief of staff, said on Tuesday that was time for the government to push back.Francisco Guzman, Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto’s chief of staff, said on Tuesday that was time for the government to push back.
Mexico planned to use its extensive network of US consulates to highlight the benefits of US-Mexican relations to the US economy and the American people, Guzman said. The initiative would include forums with US business people, politicians and public figures to get Mexico’s opinions heard.Mexico planned to use its extensive network of US consulates to highlight the benefits of US-Mexican relations to the US economy and the American people, Guzman said. The initiative would include forums with US business people, politicians and public figures to get Mexico’s opinions heard.
“Mexico’s positioning in the US election debate is not generally adequate,” Guzman said. “It doesn’t reflect the constructive relationship between Mexico and the US.”“Mexico’s positioning in the US election debate is not generally adequate,” Guzman said. “It doesn’t reflect the constructive relationship between Mexico and the US.”
The Mexican government has up until now avoided a direct confrontation with Trump, though the country’s top diplomat has called his policies and comments “ignorant and racist”.The Mexican government has up until now avoided a direct confrontation with Trump, though the country’s top diplomat has called his policies and comments “ignorant and racist”.
Former Mexican presidents Vicente Fox and Felipe Calderon have publicly condemned Trump, both comparing him to Adolf Hitler.Former Mexican presidents Vicente Fox and Felipe Calderon have publicly condemned Trump, both comparing him to Adolf Hitler.
“We’re not going to involve ourselves in the [US presidential] debate. We don’t want to polarize, but we do want to have a positive institutional relationship as we’ve had in the past,” Guzman said.“We’re not going to involve ourselves in the [US presidential] debate. We don’t want to polarize, but we do want to have a positive institutional relationship as we’ve had in the past,” Guzman said.
“The US-Mexico relationship requires more bridges and fewer walls. The isolationist solution is not a solution at all.”“The US-Mexico relationship requires more bridges and fewer walls. The isolationist solution is not a solution at all.”
The United States is Mexico’s top trade partner, the destination for about 80% of its exports, in addition to sharing many cultural and family links.The United States is Mexico’s top trade partner, the destination for about 80% of its exports, in addition to sharing many cultural and family links.
To promote stronger ties, Mexico’s government planned to meet with the final contenders for the White House once the two major parties had selected their candidates, Guzman said.To promote stronger ties, Mexico’s government planned to meet with the final contenders for the White House once the two major parties had selected their candidates, Guzman said.
“Any candidate, above all if he wants to project himself forward, has to, in my opinion, see the relationship with Mexico not as a threat but as an opportunity,” he said.“Any candidate, above all if he wants to project himself forward, has to, in my opinion, see the relationship with Mexico not as a threat but as an opportunity,” he said.