US-Mexico tensions escalate; President Nieto cancels meeting with Trump

Los Angeles : Donald Trump faced a rejection on Thursday when Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto scrapped an upcoming meeting with the US President in the wake of a fiery spat over which nation will pay for a border wall between the two countries.

Announcing his decision, Nieto tweeted, "This morning we informed the White House that I will not attend the business meeting scheduled for next Tuesday with the @POTUS." 

His decision came in wake of Trump’s earlier tweet where the US Prez said that if Mexico refuses to pay for the wall it might be best to cancel their upcoming meeting.

Trump tweeted, "The U.S. has a $60 billion dollar trade deficit with Mexico. It has been a one-sided deal from the beginning of NAFTA with massive numbers. If Mexico is unwilling to pay for the badly needed wall, then it would be better to cancel the upcoming meeting."

However, during Trump’s address to the GOP retreat in Philadelphia, he said the decision not to meet was mutual.

The tensions have now escalated after Nieto reiterated that "Mexico will not pay for any wall."

It seems Nieto has not forgotten how during the presidential campaign, Trump's inflammatory rhetoric included calling Mexican immigrants "rapists" and accusing them of "bringing crime."

One should also not forget that Mexico is America's third-largest trading partner. Also, both leaders face record low approval ratings.