By Krista Hughes
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Mexico will work with any U.S. administration, including one headed by Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump, but firmly rejects racism and xenophobia, the country's foreign minister said on Wednesday.
The billionaire businessman, who has made headlines for calling for a wall along the border with Mexico and a ban on Muslims entering the United States, is leading in opinion polls ahead of the November 2016 elections.
In an interview with Reuters, Mexican Foreign Minister Claudia Ruiz Massieu said she was certain such comments did not reflect the views of the majority of U.S. citizens.
"The Mexican government has been emphatic, and we still are, in repudiating any call to hate, to divide; any kind of statement that aims to insult our people, or any other minority, which echoes racist or xenophobic positions, whether (from) Donald Trump or any other person," she said.
"Mexico, with whatever U.S. government, will continue to have a relationship of mutual respect and look to build and share a vision for the North American region as a prosperous region of inclusive growth and increased competitiveness with other world regions."