Mexico, U.S. presidents agree to "advance" bilateral agenda

Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-21 12:07:32|Editor: ZD
Video PlayerClose

MEXICO CITY, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump agreed Tuesday during a phone conversation to "advance in relieving" the bilateral agendas on security, trade and migration.

In a statement, Pena Nieto's office said both leaders agreed to make "a coordinated effort with their teams" on these areas.

During the conversation, Pena Nieto and Trump exchanged condolences on the shootout on Feb. 14 at the Stoneman Douglas school in Parkland, Florida, which left 17 dead, and the helicopter crash in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, which killed 14.

A few days ago, the Mexican ministry of foreign affairs announced that the two presidents would soon meet, after Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray visited the White House on Feb. 14.

If the meeting goes ahead, it will mark the first time Pena Nieto and Trump meet since Trump became U.S. president. An earlier planned summit was cancelled after both sides said conditions were not present for it to go ahead.

Trump has maintained a hardline position about building a wall along the border with Mexico, which he has vowed will be paid by the Mexican side.

Furthermore, Mexico, the U.S. and Canada have been negotiating to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) since August, with Trump threatening to pull out altogether.

The seventh round of the talks will take place in Mexico City from Feb. 26 to March 3.

TOP STORIES
EDITOR’S CHOICE
MOST VIEWED
EXPLORE XINHUANET
010020070750000000000000011100001369886641