Donald Trump heading to Mexico for surprise talks with president

Donald Trump is heading to Mexico to meet the country’s president, hours ahead of a much-anticipated speech on illegal immigration. The controversial Republican presidential nominee announced the visit in a post on Twitter late on Tuesday. His visit is something of a surprise - not least because Enrique Pena Nieto has likened the candidate to Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. Most of Mr Trump’s rallies have centred on his controversial pledge to build a wall along America’s southern border with Mexico to prevent illegal crossings - and make Mexico pay for its construction.

I have accepted the invitation of president Enrique Pena Nieto, of Mexico, and look very much forward to meeting him tomorrow

Donal Trump

In an interview in March, Mr Pena Nieto said Mr Trump’s rhetoric was damaging relations between Mexico and the US. Mr Trump has further stoked tensions by accusing Mexico of sending violent offenders to the US and labelling Mexican migrants as drug-runners and rapists. In a speech in Washington state before the visit, he accused people in the country illegally of taking minority workers’ jobs. He told a rally that refugees and people living in the U.S. illegally “take jobs from hardworking African-Americans and Hispanic citizens”.

When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime. They’re rapists, and some I assume are good people

Mr Trump in a speech last year

donald trump