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CARLOS SLIM: It's clear the government of Mexico is in a strong negotiating position
(Carlos Slim.Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Mexican multibillionaire Carlos Slim on Friday gave a rare press conference and called on all Mexicans and Mexican political parties to support President Enrique Peña Nieto in his negotiations with US President Donald Trump.
Slim, who was for three years ranked the richest person in the world and who is typically press-shy, said that "a united Mexico" was ready to help the government negotiate, according to Reuters.
Speaking in Spanish, Slim called Trump a "great negotiator" who represented a major change in how politics will be conducted.
Slim spoke out against Trump during the campaign but had dinner with him after his political victory, according to Reuters.
According to Telemundo's Elizabeth Mendez, Slim said on Friday that it's clear that the government of Mexico is in a strong negotiating position, and that Peña Nieto canceled next week's meeting with Trump exemplifies that.
Peña Nieto on Thursday canceled a meeting scheduled for next week with Trump after the US president warned he should not visit Washington if Mexico was "unwilling to pay" for a wall on its shared border with the US.
The best border wall is investment and jobs in Mexico, Slim reportedly said, adding that people would go wherever there are better employment opportunities.
Trump and Peña Nieto spoke on the phone for about an hour on Friday and have agreed not to speak publicly about the wall.
Political correctness
Slim repeatedly referred to Trump's books, which he said he is reading to learn more about the man.
"Page 9: The biggest problem in the US is political correctness," he said in Spanish.
Slim also discussed immigrants in the US, saying they are not afraid of the dangers of coming to the US, not afraid to work and hungry for success, according to Mendez.
As for Trump's plan to boycott American companies that have factories in Mexico, Slim reportedly said, "That's wrong."
On the Mexican peso, which has taken a beating since Trump's rise to political success, Slim said the dollar-peso exchange rate is artificial and influenced by people like Trump tweeting, according to Bloomberg.
The Mexican labor force is superior to that of our neighbors says Carlos Slim. They work harder, they learn faster. #CarlosSlim
— Elizabeth Mendez (@izziemae) January 27, 2017
Even the border wall will have to be made by Mexicans, who else is going to make it? - #CarlosSlim
— Elizabeth Mendez (@izziemae) January 27, 2017
.@realDonaldTrump is not a terminator, he's a negotiator says #CarlosSlim. Press conference just erupted in laughter.
— Elizabeth Mendez (@izziemae) January 27, 2017
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