MEXICO CITY ― Defense Secretary Jim Mattis arrived here Friday to celebrate Mexico’s independence day and to emphasize the country’s value to the United States, amid frequent attacks by President Donald Trump and a delay by the White House to reach out to its southern neighbor following an earthquake and hurricane there last week.

With Mexico, “we have shared security concerns, there’s partnerships, military-to-military exchanges that are based on trust and respect. I’m going down to build the trust and show the respect on their independence day,” Mattis told reporters traveling with him.

Mattis said he would “absolutely” be offering his condolences to Mexico for the scores of Mexican citizens killed in the major 8.2 magnitude earthquake in Oaxaca, which occurred almost simultaneously with Hurricane Katia‘s landfall on Mexico’s southeastern coast. The dual disasters hit Mexico days after the country had offered to provide aid to Americans affected by massive flooding from Hurricane Harvey ― aid Trump did not accept.

Nor did Trump reach out to Mexico to offer condolences or assistance for several days after the two Mexico disasters. Mexico on Monday recinded the Harvey aid offer, stating the aid was needed at home to assist victims at home.

Mattis said it was important to him to learn about the impact the two natural disasters had on Mexico. Neither incident received much attention in the U.S. as media closely tracked Hurricane Irma and recovery efforts after Hurricane Harvey.

“Sometimes we hear more about troubles or storms up closer to us,” Mattis said. “I want to get updated on it and see how they are doing.”

During the visit, Mattis will meet with Mexico’s Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray, Secretary for National Defense Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos and Secretary of Navy Adm. Vidal Soberon. U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson and commander of U.S. Northern Command, Air Force Gen. Lori Robinson, are also in Mexico to participate in those meetings. The U.S. and Mexican navies work closely together on drug interdiction efforts, humanitarian relief and search and rescue efforts.

Mattis said the U.S. has “very very strong, quiet, military-to-military relations” that remain independent of some of the more polarizing political issues between the two countries.

Mattis said he did not anticipate being asked about those issues, including the president’s proposed border wall, during the visit. However, Mattis said if a wall is constructed on the southern border of the United States, he did not foresee a military role in defending it.

“In the United States we use customs and border patrol to maintain the sovereignty of our nation’s borders,” Mattis said. “Not the U.S. military.”

Mattis will also meet with his defense counterparts from Colombia for bilateral talks during his day-long visit to Mexico City.

The visit will wrap up Friday evening with an official reception celebrating the country’s independence at Mexico’s National Palace.

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