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Mexico President Demands North America Stay Free-Trade Zone

  • Seeks orderly migrant policies, free flow of remittances
  • Pena Nieto announces 10 objectives in talks with U.S.
Enrique Pena Nieto speaks in Mexico City on Jan. 4, 2017.

Enrique Pena Nieto speaks in Mexico City on Jan. 4, 2017.

Photographer: Susana Gonzalez/Bloomberg
Updated on

Defying U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for border taxes, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said Monday that North American trade should remain free of all tariffs.

The president struck a bold tone in laying out 10 goals for his government in upcoming negotiations with the Trump administration, including demanding an orderly return of Mexican migrants and the free flow of remittances. The speech at his residence in Mexico City was widely attended by lawmakers, business representatives and union leaders and came hours after Trump pledged to impose a "very major" border tax.