Enrique Pena Nieto and Donald Trump
Enrique Pena Nieto and Donald TrumpReuters

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said on Thursday he was optimistic his country could come up with a new, positive bilateral relationship with the United States after the election of Donald Trump as president.

"I have real optimism that we will be able to build a new working agenda in the bilateral relationship that would be positive," Pena Nieto told a conference, according to Reuters.

"It will also benefit the societies of both countries," he added.

During the election campaign, there was tension between Trump and Mexico after Trump said he would build a wall around the border with Mexico – and would force Mexico to pay for it.

At one point, the Mexican President said Trump’s rhetoric is similar to the manner of speech adopted by Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini when the two dictators began their ascent to power.

Later, however, the two met in Mexico where they downplayed their differences and set aside previous harsh rhetoric.

Pena Nieto said on Wednesday that he and Trump have agreed to meet, possibly during the transition period before his inauguration on January 20.

He also said that his country was interested in working with Donald Trump for the benefit of both nations, though officials reiterated Mexico would not pay for Trump’s planned border wall.