MEXICAN President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Saturday that she rejected United States President Donald Trump’s proposals to send US troops into Mexico to help her administration fight drug trafficking.

Her remarks to supporters in eastern Mexico came in response to a Wall Street Journal article published the day before, describing a tense phone call last month in which President Trump reportedly pressured her to accept a bigger role for the US military in combating drug cartels in Mexico.

“He said, ‘How can we help you fight drug trafficking? I propose that the US military come in and help you.’ And you know what I said to him? ‘No, President Trump’.”

She added: “Sovereignty is not for sale. Sovereignty is loved and defended.”

White House National Security Council spokesman James Hewitt said in a statement later on Saturday that Mr Trump has worked closely with Mexico‘s president “to achieve the most secure south west border in history.”

“Dangerous foreign terrorist organisations, however, continue to threaten our shared security and the drugs and crime they spread threaten American communities across the country,” the statement said. 

“The president has been crystal clear that Mexico must do more to combat these gangs and cartels and the US stands ready to assist and expand the already close cooperation between our two countries.”

President Trump designated many of the gangs and cartels smuggling drugs into the US as foreign terrorist organisations on February 19, restricting their movements and lending law enforcement more resources to act against them.

But after months of cooperation on immigration and trade, President Sheinbaum sent a clear message to the US: “We can work together, but you in your territory and us in ours.”