We don't provide any significant USG aid to Mexico, which is a fairly wealthy country compared to the rest of the world. It has a $2.2 trillion GDP economy, the 12th largest in the world. What is significant is the $23 billion a year that is sent from Mexicans in the US to Mexico. It is about equal to Mexico's revenue from oil sales.
- Sum B: A reasonably calculated annual amount the U.S. currently incurs to police its southern border and waters. It seems clear there is no expectation this amount will decline in the near term.
No doubt billions, but less than $10 billion a year. This does not include the billions spent on the War on Drugs, the human costs of drugs on our people, the millions of Americans who have been victims of criminal alien crime including tens of thousands who have been murdered.
We are Mexico's biggest trading partner. 80% of Mexico's exports go to the US (345 billion annually) and 48% of their imports come from the US, about $215 billion a year. We have lots of leverage in trade and remittances,
We can easily have Mexico pay for the costs of the wall if we have the political will to do so.
Your take-away, based on facts and logic, is very encouraging - We have lots of leverage in trade and remittances, We can easily have Mexico pay for the costs of the wall if we have the political will to do so.
Mexico would certainly balk at any proposal that required it to pay for the entire cost of a wall; thus, a formula based on monetary factors that provides an incentive for an appropriate amount of action by Mexico clearly remains the best answer.
Federal politicians from both sides of the aisle with their welcoming gifts at the border and their express or implied approval of sanctuary cities have obviously failed us. It appears we need a proven deal-maker that can keep our nation's best interests as the bottom line.
There is such a figure currently on the national scene, of course, and he claims he has the will to make such a deal.