How Hostile Trip To Mexico Went Well For Donald Trump

How Hostile Trip To Mexico Went Well For Donald Trump

Donald Trump aspires to stand on the world stage as a leader - and the first real test of that came in perhaps the most hostile territory in the world for the Republican presidential candidate.

His meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto held every possibility of a catastrophe in front of the world cameras.

A history of angry rhetoric and accusations from both sides hardly offered hope of substantive discussions.

But the toned down, more measured and apparently quite conciliatory Donald Trump will have maybe surprised a few people watching.

It didn't go without a hitch. Mr Trump said they talked about the border wall he wants Mexico to pay for - but insisted there was no conversation about who should stump up the cash.


Mr Pena Nieto's Twitter page told a different story, with the president telling his followers that he had made it clear at the very start of their discussion that Mexico would not pay for the wall's construction.

Image: Many Mexicans have been angered by their president's decision to invite Donald Trump for talks

On border security, migration, the flow of drugs between the two countries and sensitive trade issues, the two men reflected on their differences but talked of common ground.

We're talking about the candidate who said Mexico sends rapists to the United States and the president who compared Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler.

It has to be said that no one we spoke to in Mexico City could understand why President Pena Nieto had invited The Donald at all.

And his critics have jumped on what they see as his weakness in agreeing over the need for a stronger border - and even allowing Trump to take over the question-and-answer session after that statement.

Image: Protesters in Mexico City held placards to say Trump was not welcome in their country

Mr Pena Nieto did say Mexican-Americans are honest and law-abiding and deserve respect. Mr Trump responded by talking about all the Mexican-Americans he employs.

But the billionaire can be pleased that an event - arranged at short notice, without his trailing press pack and with the odd hint of chaos - went pretty smoothly.

It allows him to answer some of the criticism that he is not statesmanlike. He can also say that he has tackled head-on what he believes is the source of a major problem for the United States.

Whether it does anything to help him match up on the international stage against a former secretary of state will be debated by supporters on both sides of the aisle.

He ended the day back on safe soil, in front of the faithful in Arizona, talking immigration.

If he can keep that crowd happy and persuade the sceptics, he has a chance in November.

His surprise hop to Mexico City will have done him no harm at all.