Carlos Slim Calls Press Conference Amid Deteriorating US-Mexico Ties

Mexico City: Mexico's billionaire mogul Carlos Slim, who was attacked by US President Donald Trump during his election campaign, called a press conference for Friday amid growing tensions between the two nations. Mr Slim had met Mr Trump in Florida after the latter's victory in the US presidential elections.

The rare news conference, in which a spokesman said Mr Slim would take reporters' questions, comes as Mexico wrestles with Mr Trump over the highly divisive proposition of a border wall and threats to trade between the two neighboring countries.

Mr Trump has consistently riled Mexicans by pledging to build a wall on the US southern border and make Mexico pay for it, as well as threatening to ditch a joint trade deal and impose punitive tariffs on Mexican-made goods.

Those pledges sparked criticism from business leaders including billionaire Slim, who said Mr Trump's plans could destroy the US economy. But following the November 8 election, Mr Slim offered a more upbeat take, saying that if Mr Trump succeeded, it would be good news for Mexico.

In December, after Mr Trump won the US election, the two men dined at Mr Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, with Arturo Elias, Mr Slim's son-in-law and spokesman, saying the meal was "very cordial and with a very good vibe for Mexico."

Mr Slim's press conference was set for 12.30 pm local time (1830 GMT) on Friday, in Mexico City.

Mr Slim, the top shareholder in The New York Times Company, is one of the world's richest people, with an empire that encompasses telecoms, mining, banking and construction.