Trump hopes government shutdown won't be necessary over wall funding

[August 29, 2017]    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Monday he hoped a government shutdown would not be necessary over his demand that the U.S. Congress fund his proposed wall along the southern border with Mexico.

President Donald Trump holds a joint news conference with Finland's President Sauli Niinisto (unseen) at the White House in Washington, U.S., August 28, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

At a news conference with visiting Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, Trump also said Mexico may pay for the wall by reimbursement. Mexico has adamantly said it will not pay for the wall.

"One way or the other Mexico is going to pay for the wall," said Trump.

Trump also said he would probably need to terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement treaty to get what he considers a fair trade deal with U.S. economic partners Mexico and Canada.

"I believe that you will at least have to start the termination process before a fair deal can be arrived at," he said.

(Reporting By Steve Holland; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)

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