The US president told supporters at a “Make America Great Again” rally in Phoenix, Arizona, that the opposition Democrats were being “obstructionist”.

During the 80-minute speech, he also took aim at the media, blaming them for giving far right groups “a platform”.

Mr Trump also said he thought he would “probably end up terminating Nafta”, the trade deal with Mexico and Canada.

On North Korea, the president sounded a hopeful note about the possibility of a reduction in tensions over Pyongyang’s missile tests and nuclear programme.

Referring to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Mr Trump said: “I respect the fact that he is starting to respect us”.

“And maybe – probably not, but maybe – something positive can come about,” he added.

But while his comments were met with cheers inside the conference centre, anti-Trump protesters who had gathered outside the rally clashed with police after the rally had finished.

Police deployed tear gas after the protesters threw bottles and rocks, Reuters news agency reported.

President Trump began and finished his speech by urging the American people to come together.

But he quickly turned on familiar foes, beginning with the media which he said had misrepresented his “perfect” words in the wake of the violence at a far-right rally in Charlottesville , which left one woman dead.

He accused “truly dishonest people in the media and the fake media” of “trying to take away our history and heritage” because, he said, they “don’t like our country”.

Mr Trump also read out part of a speech he had given a few hours after Charlottesville, but left out the controversial claim that “both sides” had to shoulder the blame.

Mr Trump’s attention then turned to immigration, and to the Democrats who he said were “putting all of America’s safety at risk” by opposing the wall he wants to build along the US’s southern border with Mexico.

He said immigration officers who worked in the area said it was “vital” to stem the flow of illegal immigrants.

Mr Trump concluded: “If we have to close down government, we are building that wall.”

Mr Trump also used the rally to hint he would pardon controversial former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, a man who rose to national prominence because of his tough stance against illegal immigration.

He told the crowd Mr Arpaio – who was found guilty of criminal contempt in July – “is going to be just fine”, but would not formally pardon him at the moment because “I don’t want to cause any controversy”.

His comments directly contradicted those of White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders, who said on Tuesday “there will be no discussion of that today”.

Mr Arpaio, 85, was found to have violated a judge’s 2001 order that he cease detaining migrants who are not suspected of having committed a state crime.

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Source: BBC

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Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray said such tax would make Mexican imports more expensive for US consumers and they would end up paying for the wall.

The Mexican president earlier cancelled a visit to the US amid the row of who would pay for the barrier.

The planned wall was one of Mr Trump’s key election campaign pledges.

Earlier this week, the president signed an executive order to create a wall along the 2,000-mile (3,200km) US-Mexico border.

Speaking on Thursday, Mr Videgaray said: “A tax on Mexican imports to the United States is not a way to make Mexico pay for the wall, but to a way make the North American consumer pay for it through more expensive avocados, washing machines, televisions.”

He also stressed that paying for Mr Trump’s wall “is not negotiable” for Mexico.

Earlier on Thursday, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said a 20% tax could generate approximately $10bn (£8bn) in tax revenue per year.

“Right now our country’s policy is to tax exports and let imports flow freely in, which is ridiculous”, he said, adding that the tax will “easily pay for the wall”.

But Reince Priebus, the White House chief of staff, later said that the border tax is only one of several options being considered.

The rift between the neighbours and trade partners has deepened just days into Mr Trump’s presidency.

After Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto pulled out of next week’s summit, Mr Trump said the meeting would have been “fruitless” if Mexico didn’t treat the US “with respect” and pay for the wall.

Earlier Mr Pena Nieto said he “lamented” the plans for the barrier.

In a televised address, the Mexican leader told the nation: “I’ve said time and again: Mexico won’t pay for any wall.”

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham warned that US consumers may wind up bearing the cost of the proposed tax.

“Any tariff we can levy they can levy. Huge barrier to econ growth”, he wrote online.

“Build that wall” was one of Mr Trump’s campaign rally slogans.

Mr Trump’s executive orders also called for hiring 10,000 immigration officials to help boost border patrol efforts.

“A nation without borders is not a nation,” Mr Trump said. “Beginning today the United States gets back control of its borders.”

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Source: BBC

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Enrique Pena Nieto said he “lamented” the plans for the barrier, adding that “Mexico doesn’t believe in walls”.

But he made no mention of cancelling or postponing a trip to Washington on 31 January to meet the new US president.

Mr Trump has signed an executive order for an “impassable physical barrier” and has insisted Mexico would reimburse the US for it.

Mr Pena Nieto said: “I’ve said time and again; Mexico won’t pay for any wall.

“It comes as our country is talking on new rules on cooperation, trade, investment, security and migration in the North American region.

“As president I assume the complete responsibility to defend the interests of Mexico and Mexicans.

“Based on a final report by the functionaries in Washington DC and advice from the chamber of commerce, governors, and so on, I will decide the right next steps to take.

“Mexico offers its friendship to the American people and its willingness to reach accords with their government. Agreements that will be in favour of both Mexico and the US.”

Billions of dollars

Mr Trump said in a TV interview with ABC News that Mexico would “absolutely, 100%” reimburse the US for his wall.

But Congress would have to approve funding for the structure, which is estimated to cost billions of dollars.

Building a 2,000-mile barrier along the Mexican border was one of Mr Trump’s key pledges in the presidential election campaign.

He spoke of a “crisis” on the southern US border as he signed the directives during a ceremony at the Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday.

The orders also called for hiring 10,000 immigration officials to help boost border patrol efforts.

“A nation without borders is not a nation,” he said. “Beginning today the United States gets back control of its borders.”

The executive orders are among a flurry expected on national and border security this week.

Mr Trump is next expected to announce immigration restrictions from seven countries with Muslim-majority populations in the Middle East and Africa. This could affect refugee programmes.

These countries are believed to be Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Sudan, Somalia and Yemen.

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Source: BBC

The post We will not pay for Trump border wall – Mexico gov’t appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.