President Trump and Mexico did not appear to get along at the outset of his administration, what with his whole pledge to build a wall and make them pay for it and talks of renegotiating NAFTA. Yet, Mexican Ambassador Gerónimo Gutiérrez told The Hill this weekend that the relationship is not as strained as we may think.
The wall is still a red line that needs to be cleared, Gutiérrez said, but they have made significant strides in other policy areas.
“It’s no secret that we have had our share of difference with the Trump administration. Those differences are public, they’re known. What both sides have strived for is to find common ground within those differences,” Gutierrez said.
“One of the positive things about what has been built over the past six to eight months is the fact that both sides believe the other guy is honestly trying to reach a deal on different aspects of the relationship.
One recent issue that Mexico has been compelled to respond to is Trump's decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. While Gutiérrez says Mexico would welcome DACA recipients back, Dreamers grew up in the U.S. and it's the only home they know.
They are "basically like any other children in the United States," he reasoned.
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Trump visited Mexico in September of last year in the later stages of the presidential election, accepting an invitation from Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto. Hillary Clinton declined. Trump was praised for his presidential-like demeanor during the visit.
After he was inaugurated, things got a bit stickier. His relentless tweeting about Mexico building the wall was enough for Nieto to cancel his trip to the States.
Yet, judging by Gutiérrez's positive outlook, there is plenty of hope for the U.S.-Mexico relationship going forward.
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