?I have said time and time again, Mexico will not pay for any wall,? Pe?a Nieto told the nation in his short video statement on Wednesday night. Mexico?s president has once again declared that ?Mexico will not pay for any wall? but stopped short of cancelling a visit to Washington after Donald Trump signed executive orders that include building the border barrier. Many in the political class had called on Pe?a Nieto to cancel his meeting after Trump signed the executive order. Late on Wedneday a senior government official told the Associated Press that the Mexican president was ?considering? calling off the visit to Washington. Pe?a Nieto has consistently rejected Trump?s suggestion that Mexico will pay for the border wall and promised to put Mexico first in any negotiations.

While the Mexican president has opted for dialogue over confrontation, the building pressure, and perceived slights, could complicate his agenda. For a new American president, Mr. Trump is both well known in Mexico and widely disliked. After Mr. Trump?s victory, Mr. Videgaray?s fortunes revived and he became foreign minister. Calls began to come in from across the political spectrum for Mr. Pe?a Nieto to cancel his visit, and to respond with greater fortitude to the perceived menace from President Trump. It mattered little to Mexicans whether Mr. Trump?s order would receive congressional approval or the funding required to fulfill it.