02:55USA: "Security more important than trade" - Trump threatens to shut down Mexico border
US President Donald Trump threatened to close the southern border with Mexico at a press briefing with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in the White House on Tuesday.
Trump warned that he will resort to the drastic measure if Mexico won't take stronger actions to stop immigration.
"Mexico is now stopping people coming, it's very easy for them to do stopping people [from] coming in through Mexico, let's see if they keep it done. If they keep doing that. Now, if they don't or if we don't make a deal with Congress, the border is going to be closed, hundred per cent."
The US president admitted that closing the border would harm US economy, but stressed that security was "more important than trade".
"It's a very big trading partner [Mexico] but to me trading is very important, the borders are very important, but security is what is most important for me", he explained.
Trump, who was meeting Stoltenberg ahead of NATO's 70th anniversary, also praised NATO members for improving their contributions to the military alliance's costs, but said he hoped to see more commitment.
02:55US President Donald Trump threatened to close the southern border with Mexico at a press briefing with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in the White House on Tuesday.
Trump warned that he will resort to the drastic measure if Mexico won't take stronger actions to stop immigration.
"Mexico is now stopping people coming, it's very easy for them to do stopping people [from] coming in through Mexico, let's see if they keep it done. If they keep doing that. Now, if they don't or if we don't make a deal with Congress, the border is going to be closed, hundred per cent."
The US president admitted that closing the border would harm US economy, but stressed that security was "more important than trade".
"It's a very big trading partner [Mexico] but to me trading is very important, the borders are very important, but security is what is most important for me", he explained.
Trump, who was meeting Stoltenberg ahead of NATO's 70th anniversary, also praised NATO members for improving their contributions to the military alliance's costs, but said he hoped to see more commitment.