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Trump claims border wall cost will "come way down"

The US President has claimed he will be able bring down the cost of constructing a wall along the...
Newstalk
Newstalk

18.02 11 Feb 2017


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Trump claims border wall cost...

Trump claims border wall cost will "come way down"

Newstalk
Newstalk

18.02 11 Feb 2017


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The US President has claimed he will be able bring down the cost of constructing a wall along the border with Mexico.

Donald Trump was reacting to media reports that the US Department of Homeland Security had estimated the cost will reach around $21.6bn (€20.3bn).

During his presidential campaign Mr Trump suggested the wall would cost approximately $12bn (€11.3bn).

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In a series of tweets from his Florida resort where he is hosting the Japanese Prime Minister this afternoon, he said the price will "come way down" as soon as he gets involved in the negotiations.

“I am reading that the great border wall will cost more than the government originally thought, but I have not gotten involved in the [...] design or negotiations yet. When I do, just like with the F-35 fighter jet or the Air Force One Program, price will come way down,” he tweeted.

President Trump provided no indication of how he proposes to reduce the cost.

In late January, he claimed his administration had been able to cut some $600m (€564m) from a deal to buy about 90 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters from Lockheed Martin.

A number of defence analysts said the discount hailed by Mr Trump was in line with what had been flagged by Lockheed for months - and would apply to other countries committed to the program.

Mr Trump has vowed to make Mexico pay for the construction of the border wall, however Mexico has repeatedly made it clear that it will not do so.


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