Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he and his US counterpart Joe Biden discussed migration, the COVID-19 pandemic and bilateral cooperation on Friday during their first phone call since the American assumed the presidency this week. 
 
The afternoon call was "pleasant and respectful" Lopez Obrador said in a brief Twitter post, in which he appeared in a photo smiling, seated at a table with Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard and former presidential chief of staff Alfonso Romo. 
 
"Everything indicates relations will be good and for the benefit of our people and nations," Lopez Obrador said. 
 
Mexico has a major role to play in Biden`s plans for immigration reform. Earlier this month, Mexico helped coordinate efforts in Central America to contain a large caravan of migrants heading for the United States. 
 
Nevertheless, Biden`s inauguration comes at a time of simmering tension over a now-dropped U.S. investigation into former Mexican defense minister Salvador Cienfuegos. 
 
During the call, Lopez Obrador celebrated the legacy of Mexican migrants in the United States and reiterated that the best way to manage migration was to promote development in the places that fuel the phenomenon, Mexico`s foreign ministry said. 
 
Lopez Obrador said Mexico wanted to work with Washington on their "broad bilateral agenda," the ministry said. 
 
The two leaders agreed that teams from both countries would work together to craft a common approach to development, and underlined the need for joint cooperation to combat the pandemic, the ministry said in a statement. 
 
Separately, the ministry said the U.S. government had approved the appointment of Esteban Moctezuma as Mexico`s ambassador to the United States. Moctezuma must still be ratified by Mexico`s Senate, which should be a formality. 
 
Mexico`s government also said it had begun talks with Washington about a coronavirus-related order signed by Biden to impose sanitary requirements on people entering U.S. territory. 
 
Earlier on Friday, Lopez Obrador urged the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to mount an internal probe into how it built its case against Cienfuegos.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he and his US counterpart Joe Biden discussed migration, the COVID-19 pandemic and bilateral cooperation on Friday during their first phone call since the American assumed the presidency this week.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he and his US counterpart Joe Biden discussed migration, the COVID-19 pandemic and bilateral cooperation on Friday during their first phone call since the American assumed the presidency this week. The afternoon call was "pleasant and respectful" Lopez Obrador said in a brief Twitter post, in which he appeared in a photo smiling, seated at a table with Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard and former presidential chief of staff Alfonso Romo. "Everything indicates relations will be good and for the benefit of our people and nations," Lopez Obrador said. Mexico has a major role to play in Biden`s plans for immigration reform. Earlier this month, Mexico helped coordinate efforts in Central America to contain a large caravan of migrants heading for the United States. Nevertheless, Biden`s inauguration comes at a time of simmering tension over a now-dropped U.S. investigation into former Mexican defense minister Salvador Cienfuegos. During the call, Lopez Obrador celebrated the legacy of Mexican migrants in the United States and reiterated that the best way to manage migration was to promote development in the places that fuel the phenomenon, Mexico`s foreign ministry said. Lopez Obrador said Mexico wanted to work with Washington on their "broad bilateral agenda," the ministry said. The two leaders agreed that teams from both countries would work together to craft a common approach to development, and underlined the need for joint cooperation to combat the pandemic, the ministry said in a statement. Separately, the ministry said the U.S. government had approved the appointment of Esteban Moctezuma as Mexico`s ambassador to the United States. Moctezuma must still be ratified by Mexico`s Senate, which should be a formality. Mexico`s government also said it had begun talks with Washington about a coronavirus-related order signed by Biden to impose sanitary requirements on people entering U.S. territory. Earlier on Friday, Lopez Obrador urged the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to mount an internal probe into how it built its case against Cienfuegos.

US and Mexican presidents talk migration, coronavirus after nagging tensions

Mexican troops blocked some 1,500 Central American migrants from entering the country from Guatemala, scuffling with them and thwarting their hoped-for trek to the US and a better life.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-deports-mexicans-far-from-border-may-send-others-to-guatemala-269267">US deports Mexicans far from border, may send others to Guatemala</a>

One National Guard soldier standing guard at a bridge that is a major crossing point and speaking over a bullhorn told the travellers they could not enter without a visa or migration document, and that sneaking in was dangerous.

"Do not expose yourself to people traffickers. Your life is in danger," said this agent, who also told them the idea that the United States will grant them asylum is false.

Most of the migrants left last Tuesday from Honduras and had arrived Saturday morning at the bridge over the Suchiate River, which forms the border between Guatemala and Mexico to the north.

Some of the migrants insisted on getting in but others in groups of 20 or so turned around and headed back to migration holding facilities on the Guatemalan side of the frontier.

Watch:&nbsp;More than 60,000 people are missing amid Mexico's drug war

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/more-than-60000-people-are-missing-amid-mexicos-drug-war-272711/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">Mexico had beefed up its forces at the border crossing as it anticipated the arrival of a caravan of some 3,000 people mainly from Honduras and El Salvador.</div>

On Friday, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador offered 4,000 jobs to members of the caravan in an attempt to dissuade them from travelling on to the United States.

Mexico has come under pressure from US President Donald Trump to slow a surge of undocumented migrants who arrived at the US-Mexican border last year.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/honduran-migrants-prepare-new-us-bound-caravan-274465">Honduran migrants prepare new US-bound caravan</a>

Trump threatened in May to impose tariffs on Mexico if the government did not do more to stop them.

Cornered, Lopez Obrador's administration deployed 27,000 National Guardsmen to tighten its borders.

He has also allowed the United States to send more than 40,000 asylum-seekers back to Mexico while their cases are processed, under the so-called "Remain in Mexico" policy.

Human Rights Watch accused Mexico Tuesday of violating migrants' rights by failing to guarantee the security of those returned by the United States and detaining others in "inhumane conditions."

Tens of thousands of Central American migrants crossed Mexico toward the US last year in large caravans, fleeing chronic poverty and brutal gang violence and seeking safety in numbers from the dangers of the journey.

That prompted Trump to warn of an "invasion" and deploy nearly 6,000 US troops to the border.

Mexican troops blocked some 1,500 Central American migrants from entering the country from Guatemala, scuffling with them and thwarting their hoped-for trek to the US and a better life.

Mexican troops blocked some 1,500 Central American migrants from entering the country from Guatemala, scuffling with them and thwarting their hoped-for trek to the US and a better life. Also read: US deports Mexicans far from border, may send others to Guatemala One National Guard soldier standing guard at a bridge that is a major crossing point and speaking over a bullhorn told the travellers they could not enter without a visa or migration document, and that sneaking in was dangerous. "Do not expose yourself to people traffickers. Your life is in danger," said this agent, who also told them the idea that the United States will grant them asylum is false. Most of the migrants left last Tuesday from Honduras and had arrived Saturday morning at the bridge over the Suchiate River, which forms the border between Guatemala and Mexico to the north. Some of the migrants insisted on getting in but others in groups of 20 or so turned around and headed back to migration holding facilities on the Guatemalan side of the frontier. Watch: More than 60,000 people are missing amid Mexico's drug war Mexico had beefed up its forces at the border crossing as it anticipated the arrival of a caravan of some 3,000 people mainly from Honduras and El Salvador. On Friday, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador offered 4,000 jobs to members of the caravan in an attempt to dissuade them from travelling on to the United States. Mexico has come under pressure from US President Donald Trump to slow a surge of undocumented migrants who arrived at the US-Mexican border last year. Also read: Honduran migrants prepare new US-bound caravan Trump threatened in May to impose tariffs on Mexico if the government did not do more to stop them. Cornered, Lopez Obrador's administration deployed 27,000 National Guardsmen to tighten its borders. He has also allowed the United States to send more than 40,000 asylum-seekers back to Mexico while their cases are processed, under the so-called "Remain in Mexico" policy. Human Rights Watch accused Mexico Tuesday of violating migrants' rights by failing to guarantee the security of those returned by the United States and detaining others in "inhumane conditions." Tens of thousands of Central American migrants crossed Mexico toward the US last year in large caravans, fleeing chronic poverty and brutal gang violence and seeking safety in numbers from the dangers of the journey. That prompted Trump to warn of an "invasion" and deploy nearly 6,000 US troops to the border.

Mexican troops block US-bound caravan travellers

The Donald Trump administration&nbsp;thought about levying a 20 per cent tax on goods imported from Mexico to finance the wall that will be built along the border, before backtracking on the idea saying it is one of the many ideas being mulled.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer had said the proposed tax would raise $10 billion a year which would &quot;easily pay for the wall&quot;.

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<h5>Any policy proposal which drives up costs of Corona, tequila, or margaritas is a big-time bad idea. Mucho Sad,&#39; Senator Lindsay Graham tweeted</h5>
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But minutes later, the Trump administration rowed back on the idea amidst a fierce blowblack from politicians and the retail industry.

&quot;When you look at tariffs and repercussions you get from countries that you use your tariffs against, there is always the potential response for retaliation, which normally doesn&#39;t support good economic growth,&quot; said Republican Congressman Mark Meadows.

Senator Lindsay Graham was a little more colourful.

&quot;Any policy proposal which drives up costs of Corona, tequila, or margaritas is a big-time bad idea. Mucho Sad,&quot; he tweeted.

The idea is also fiercely opposed by big retailers like Walmart who would see the cost of their imported products go up.

And any such tariff would likely prompt legal action and retaliatory measures from Europe or others at the World Trade Organization.

If implemented, the latest plan of action is set to deepen the mistrust between the Trump administration and the Mexican government, and comes hours after President&nbsp;Enrique Pena Nieto on Thursday called off a visit to Washington set for next week.

While Mexico has refused point-blank to bankroll the wall, the Trump administration is adamant that Washington&#39;s southern neighbour will pay for the wall.

Trump Wednesday (January 25) insisted that Mexico will pay for the wall, telling ABC they would be reimbursed &quot;absolutely 100 per cent&quot;.

&quot;Ultimately it will come out of what&#39;s happening with Mexico, we&#39;re going to be starting those negotiations relatively soon. And we will be, in a form, reimbursed by Mexico,&quot;&nbsp;Trump had said in an interview to the ABC network.

On Wednesday,&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;signed an executive order telling officials to begin to &quot;plan, design and construct a physical wall&quot; along the 2,000-mile (3,200-kilometer) US-Mexico border, sticking to his controversial campaign pledge.

Trump&#39;s project is aimed at clamping down on illegal immigration from Mexico.&nbsp;

Trump says the wall would cost $8 billion, but other estimates suggest that it will cost almost double that amount.

&quot;A nation without borders is not a nation,&quot;&nbsp;Trump had said Wednesday as he&nbsp;visited the Department of Homeland Security to sign two executive orders.

The building of the wall has split opinions in the US.&nbsp;Forty seven per cent of the people support the move while 45 per cent are against it, according to&nbsp;Morning Consult/Politico poll released on Wednesday, underscoring the controversial nature of the decision.

(WION with inputs from AFP)

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The US president quickly backtracked on the idea amidst a fierce blowback from politicians and the retail industry

The Donald Trump administration thought about levying a 20 per cent tax on goods imported from Mexico to finance the wall that will be built along the border, before backtracking on the idea saying it is one of the many ideas being mulled. White House press secretary Sean Spicer had said the proposed tax would raise $10 billion a year which would "easily pay for the wall". Any policy proposal which drives up costs of Corona, tequila, or margaritas is a big-time bad idea. Mucho Sad,' Senator Lindsay Graham tweeted × But minutes later, the Trump administration rowed back on the idea amidst a fierce blowblack from politicians and the retail industry. "When you look at tariffs and repercussions you get from countries that you use your tariffs against, there is always the potential response for retaliation, which normally doesn't support good economic growth," said Republican Congressman Mark Meadows. Senator Lindsay Graham was a little more colourful. "Any policy proposal which drives up costs of Corona, tequila, or margaritas is a big-time bad idea. Mucho Sad," he tweeted. The idea is also fiercely opposed by big retailers like Walmart who would see the cost of their imported products go up. And any such tariff would likely prompt legal action and retaliatory measures from Europe or others at the World Trade Organization. If implemented, the latest plan of action is set to deepen the mistrust between the Trump administration and the Mexican government, and comes hours after President Enrique Pena Nieto on Thursday called off a visit to Washington set for next week. While Mexico has refused point-blank to bankroll the wall, the Trump administration is adamant that Washington's southern neighbour will pay for the wall. Trump Wednesday (January 25) insisted that Mexico will pay for the wall, telling ABC they would be reimbursed "absolutely 100 per cent". "Ultimately it will come out of what's happening with Mexico, we're going to be starting those negotiations relatively soon. And we will be, in a form, reimbursed by Mexico," Trump had said in an interview to the ABC network. On Wednesday, Trump signed an executive order telling officials to begin to "plan, design and construct a physical wall" along the 2,000-mile (3,200-kilometer) US-Mexico border, sticking to his controversial campaign pledge. Trump's project is aimed at clamping down on illegal immigration from Mexico. Trump says the wall would cost $8 billion, but other estimates suggest that it will cost almost double that amount. "A nation without borders is not a nation," Trump had said Wednesday as he visited the Department of Homeland Security to sign two executive orders. The building of the wall has split opinions in the US. Forty seven per cent of the people support the move while 45 per cent are against it, according to Morning Consult/Politico poll released on Wednesday, underscoring the controversial nature of the decision. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Trump mulls 20% tax on imported Mexican goods to finance wall

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US and Mexican presidents talk migration, coronavirus after nagging tensions

Mexican troops block US-bound caravan travellers

Trump mulls 20% tax on imported Mexican goods to finance wall