Trump hits back at reports questioning significance of Mexico deal
- President Donald Trump pushed back after reports revealed major components of his security deal with Mexico were actually agreed upon several months ago.
- Trump had been holding the threat of heavy tariffs on Mexico if they did not implement stronger border security measures.
- The deal also makes key reforms to the asylum process.
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President Donald Trump disputed reports his new trade agreement with Mexico in exchange for border security had been settled months ago.
To avoid heavy tariffs being implemented on them this coming week, Mexico agreed to deploy its national guard to strengthen security throughout the country and particular on its southern border connecting to Central America, as well as allowing US asylum seekers to stay in Mexico.
But the US and Mexico had agreed upon these moves several months ago, according to reports, which Trump dismissed as attempts to downplay his success.
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"Another false report in the Failing [New York Times]," Trump wrote on Twitter Sunday morning. "We have been trying to get some of these Border Actions for a long time, as have other administrations, but were not able to get them, or get them in full, until our signed agreement with Mexico."
Despite Trump's tweets, the agreements were set in place as far back as 2018. As the New York Times noted, then-Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and Mexican Interior Secretary Olga Sanchez confirmed the Mexican National Guard deployments in March.
In addition, the new asylum process had been agreed upon last year. Nielsen announced the deal in a December hearing with the House Judiciary Committee.
But Trump also noted that if necessary, he could snap back and levy tariffs on Mexico over the issue of border security.
"There is now going to be great cooperation between Mexico & the USA, something that didn't exist for decades," he added in a pair of follow up tweets. "However, if for some unknown reason, there is not, we can always go back to our previous, very profitable, position of Tariffs - But I don't believe that will be necessary. The Failing @nytimes, & ratings challenged @CNN, will do anything possible to see our Country fail! They are truly The Enemy of the People!"