In Mexico, Trump talks immigration, border security with Peña Nieto

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump met with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto in Mexico City on Wednesday and called the Latin American leader a "friend."

For over a year, Trump has made numerous disparaging remarks about Mexico and Mexicans on the campaign trail, and Peña Nieto even once likened the candidate to Adolf Hitler. But during a press conference following a private meeting, both men were cordial and highlighted the idea that they'd be willing to work together.

"The bond between our two countries is deep and sincere and both our nations benefit from a close and honest relationship between our two governments," said Trump." "A strong, vibrant and prosperous Mexico is in the best interest of the United States … There's a lot of value that can be created for both countries by working beautifully together."

Peña Nieto echoed that sentiment. "We should work on a relationship based on mutual respect," Peña Nieto said. "The next president of the United States will find a neighbor that's going to work on building and strengthening that relationship even more."

On Friday, the Mexican leader invited Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton for a sit-down. Trump quickly took him up on the offer, announcing the meeting yesterday. He's now headed to Phoenix, Arizona, for a major speech to clarify his immigration policy.

Peña Nieto and Trump told the media they had discussed a host of issues, including illegal immigration, a border wall, drug cartels, free trade and manufacturing jobs. But Trump claimed he did not broach one of the most contentious subjects: who will pay for his proposed border wall. The Republican candidate has continually said he will make Mexico pay for it.

"Having a secure border is a sovereign right and mutually beneficial," Trump said in Mexico. "We recognize the right of either country to build a physical barrier or wall."

But several hours after the press conference, Peña Nieto tweeted that he made it clear during the meeting that Mexico would not pay for the wall.

Also, Peña Nieto alluded to Trump's past derogatory comments about his countrymen during the press conference. "Mexicans in the United States are honest people … who deserve respect," said Peña Nieto.

Trump, meanwhile, spoke highly of Mexican Americans, saying he has a "tremendous feeling for them" and that they're "spectacular, hard-working people."

Peña Nieto and Trump also discussed border security, and the Mexican president pointed out that crime from the U.S. impacts Mexico, too. "The flow of illegal weapons, money and drugs in both directs have negative consequences on both sides of the border," said Peña Nieto.

Trump also spoke about the Central American migrant crisis which affects both Mexico and the U.S., calling it a "humanitarian disaster."

"No one wins in either country when human smugglers and drug traffickers prey on innocent people," he said.

Reactions to Trump's visit varied. In Mexico City, protesters held signs deriding Trump, with messages such as " Go home Trump, take Peña with you" and " You are not WALL-COME." Mexico City's legislative declared him a " persona non grata."

Felipe Calderon, the former president of Mexico, told CNN that he didn't believe anything Trump said, calling him a "liar" and a "hypocrite."

"You confront tyrants, you don't appease them," Enrique Krauze, a famous Mexican historian, tweeted. He also said that Peña Nieto had made a "historic error."

On the other hand, newly re-elected Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said Trump had "courage" to go to Mexico to meet with the president. "What a great day this is," he said on CNN. "There's some mutual respect there."

Republican strategist Ana Navarro, who has been highly critical of Trump, said the Mexico trip was a "good, maverick move."

"The Donald Trump I just saw has had some kind of personality transplant," she told CNN. "He changed the narrative. He gets some credit for [going] to what he knows is a hostile environment."

Trump's remarks in Mexico City stand in steep contrast with his previous comments. In June 2015, he tweeted: "I love the Mexican people, but Mexico is not our friend. They're killing us at the border and they're killing us on jobs and trade. FIGHT!"