Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard is now delivering his remarks and responding to questions from the press on the U.S.-Mexico deal.
Key quotes (via Reuters)
- Recent migration negotiation with U.S. has been most difficult moment for Mexico.
- Tariff threat gone for now but a trade war with the United States could put at risk trading arrangements in North America.
- At start of talks, U.S. officials sought ‘safe third country’ migration designation for Mexico.
- Migrants entering into Mexico need to be registered.
- If measures agreed to so far do not achieve goal, we have to discuss additional measures as a region.
- Mexican Senate should be consulted on any additional measures to tackle migration.
- Migration issue has been kept apart from trade with U.S. deal.
- There will be an evaluation of how measures are working in 45 days.
- No additional agreement with U.S. when asked about Trump announcement that Mexico will now buy large amounts of agricultural goods from U.S. farmers.
- Trump likely referring to expected growth in agricultural trade following migration deal.
- Never asked for funds for its own development in migration deal with U.S.
- U.S. negotiators sought zero migrants crossing Mexico, but that’s a ‘mission impossible’.
- No specific target for reduction of migrant flows in deal.
- If the number of migrants comes down it will show that our measures are working.
- Mexico will seek a common commitment with Central American nations that number of migrants does not continue to rise.
- Will meet with U.S. authorities today to define where along u.S.-Mexico border asylum seekers will be returned.