President Donald Trump meets with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto (left) at the G20 Summit in Hamburg on Aug. 16. Trump spoke with Peña Nieto “to extend his condolences for the lives lost and damage caused by yesterday’s earthquake." | Evan Vucci, File/AP Trump offers U.S. assistance to Mexico after earthquake

President Donald Trump offered U.S. assistance to Mexico during a phone call Wednesday with President Enrique Peña Nieto, after that country was rattled Tuesday by a 7.1-magnitude earthquake that killed more than 200 people.

Trump spoke with Peña Nieto “to extend his condolences for the lives lost and damage caused by yesterday’s earthquake in central Mexico,” the White House said in a statement. “The president offered assistance and search-and-rescue teams, which are being deployed now. The president also pledged to continue close coordination with Mexico as the two countries respond to the recent earthquakes and hurricanes.”


Trump swiftly reacted to the devastating natural disaster on Tuesday, tweeting solidarity with the people of Mexico City within hours of the quake.

“We are with you and will be there for you,” the president wrote.

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His response to Tuesday’s quake was in contrast to his reaction to the earthquake that hit Mexico on Sept. 7, killing at least 90 people. Trump at the time failed to reciprocate Mexico’s offer for aid to Hurricane Harvey victims after Mexico endured a magnitude-8.1 earthquake and Hurricane Katia, and he didn’t offer his condolences until days later.

“Spoke to President of Mexico to give condolences on terrible earthquake,” Trump wrote via Twitter on Sept. 14. “Unable to reach for 3 days b/c of his cell phone reception at site.”