Trump wall: President denies changing view on Mexico border plan
- Published
Testing began in December on President Trump's border wall prototypes
Donald Trump has denied changing his views on a border wall after his top aide reportedly said the president was "uninformed" when he made the promise.
White House chief of staff John Kelly told Fox News the president's opinions had evolved since his signature campaign pledge on the US-Mexico wall.
Hours later, the president tweeted to say Mexico would still "directly or indirectly" pay for the wall.
Mexico's foreign ministry said Thursday morning that the country would not pay.
They also pushed back against Mr Trump's claim that Mexico is the "most dangerous country in the world".
"Even though Mexico has a significant problem with violence, it is plainly false that Mexico is the most dangerous country in the world," the ministry said.
US media report that the White House chief of staff told members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus on Wednesday that the US would never construct a wall along its entire southern border.
Mr Kelly also reportedly said Mexico would never pay for the structure, as Mr Trump has repeatedly vowed.
"Campaigning is very different from governing," Mr Kelly said on Wednesday, of Mr Trump's former promise.
But speaking to Fox News later the retired general insisted the president was committed to building 700 miles (1,100km) of additional wall along the nearly 2,000-mile border.
Last year Mr Trump said his wall would cover 1,000 miles with natural obstacles taking care of the rest.
John Kelly (L) was appointed as President Trump's chief of staff in July
When Fox News asked Mr Kelly if he had called the president "uninformed", he did not deny it.
Both the president and his chief of staff cited the estimated cost as $20bn (£14bn); Mr Trump had originally put the figure at $10-$12bn.
Six things that could topple Trump's wall
Mr Kelly said they were now looking at alternative ways to raise funds, including via possible visa fees or renegotiating the Nafta trade deal between the US, Canada and Mexico.
In Thursday morning's tweet, President Trump insisted Mexico would still pick up the costs, possibly "through longer term reimbursement".
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