WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto spoke for an hour by phone on Friday amid rising tensions over the US leader’s plans for a southern border wall, administration officials said.

Trump and Pena Nieto had been expected to meet in Washington next week, but the Mexican president abruptly cancelled his visit on Thursday. His decision came after Trump moved forward with plans to construct a wall along the US-Mexico border and have Mexico pay for construction.

Following the cancellation, Trump’s spokesman said the White House would seek to pay for the border wall by slapping a 20 percent tax on all imports from Mexico, as well as on other countries the US has a trade deficit with. The White House later cast the proposal as just one option to pay for the wall.

The strong reaction from Mexico signalled a remarkable souring of relations between Washington and one of its most important international partners just days into the new administration. The US and Mexico conduct some $1.6 billion a day in cross-border trade, and cooperate on everything from migration to drug enforcement to major environmental issues.

Two administration officials who confirmed Friday’s phone call insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly.

Trump, who took office without any significant foreign policy experience, has moved swiftly in his first week in office to refocus on what he has deemed an “America First” policy. His position has left key US allies on edge about their standing with Washington.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2017