Trump holds his ground on Mexico wall, offers steel option as alternative
US president Donald Trump has threatened to declare a national emergency to build the wall along the southern border of Mexico.
Trump said on Sunday he would not budge on plans to build the wall, threatening to declare a national emergency to fund it.
Trump also suggested the wall could be made from steel, offering a compromise to the Democrats.
‘The barrier, or the wall, can be of steel instead of concrete if that helps people. It may be better,’ Trump said.
However, house majority leader, Steny Hoyer said “It’ll be discussed,” when asked about the concrete alternative on NBC.
The comments come after Democrats rejected the $5.6 billion funding needed to build the wall and passed a bill in the house of representatives last week to reopen the government without the billion-dollar funding.
Trump addressed the media on Sunday, pledging to stay true to his promise to build the wall.
‘This is a very important battle to win from the standpoint of safety, number one, (and) defining our country and who we are,’ Trump said to reporters.
Trump’s comments come as the US enters its third week of a partial government shutdown.
Before the comments on Sunday, Trump met with senior US lawmakers on Friday to discuss the government shutdown.
‘We had a very, very productive meeting and… we’ve come a long way,’ Trump said after the meeting.
US vice president, Mike Pence held a second meeting with congressional aides on Sunday to solve the wall issue, but Trump said that only he and Democrat speaker, Nancy Pelosi, and senate democratic leader, Chuck Schumer were able to come to a solution in a timely manner.
‘If we don’t find a solution, it’s going to go on for a long time. There’s not going to be any bend right here,’ Trump said.
This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients.
See an opportunity to trade?
Go long or short on more than 17,000 markets with IG.
Trade CFDs on our award-winning platform, with low spreads on indices, shares, commodities and more.
Live prices on most popular markets
- Forex
- Shares
- Indices
