Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto Cancels Visit To Washington As Tensions With Trump Administration Intensify Thursday Jan 26,2017

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto on Thursday Jan 26,2017 canceled a planned visit to the White House amid outrage in Mexico about President Trump's efforts to start building a border wall, in what appeared to be one of the most serious rifts in years between Washington and a critical ally.

The move came a day after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to construct a border wall, which he has insisted that Mexico fund. Mexican officials have angrily rejected paying for the wall.

Addressing a GOP policy retreat in Philadelphia, US President Donald Trump said Thursday afternoon Jan 26,2017, "The president of Mexico and myself have agreed to cancel our planned meeting" next week. "Unless Mexico is going to treat the United States fairly, with respect, such a meeting would be fruitless."

US President Donald Trump said that "border security is a serious, serious national issue and problem" that threatens the "sovereignty and safety" of Americans. "The American people will not pay for the wall, and I've made that clear to the government of Mexico," he added. He also blasted the North American Free Trade Agreement, vowing that "I will not allow Americans to pay the cost" of the accord.

Earlier, Peña Nieto said in a tweet: "This morning we have informed the White House that I will not attend the work meeting scheduled for next Tuesday with @POTUS."

Peña Nieto had sent out a recorded message on Wednesday night saying that he "regrets and disapproves" of the U.S. decision to move forward with the wall, but that he still planned to come to Washington next Tuesday to meet with Trump because of the importance of the negotiations.

But that decision changed after a Thursday morning tweet from Trump saying that if Mexico is not willing to pay for the wall, "then it would be better to cancel the upcoming meeting."

Relations between the United States and Mexico have quickly deteriorated since Trump took power. Trump has proposed several policies that Mexico opposes, including the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, increased deportations of illegal immigrants, and the construction of the wall.

A border wall was one of US President Donald Trump's signature promises and a rallying cry for his supporters during last year's presidential campaign. 

Enrique Peña Nieto has insisted that Mexico will not pay for the wall, casting the issue as a matter of dignity and principle for the nation. But he has tried to maintain a diplomatic approach to the new administration, suggesting that Mexico can negotiate with its largest trading partner and maintain good relations.

In Mexico, pressure has been mounting on Enrique Peña Nieto to respond more forcefully to Trump's proposals.