mexico city distance political tensions issue like border wall u.s. defense secretary jim mattis say aim build trust show respect mexico trip friday seek buttress still resilient military tie two countries u.s.-mexican relations badly damage trump threats curtail trade latin america economy well demand mexico pay border wall keep immigrants drug traffickers mexicans positive image unite state fall low level since least 2002 two-thirds people view country unfavorably accord poll release thursday u.s.-based pew research center mattis portray u.s.-mexican military tie strong say countries share common concern issue include drug traffic mexico also drug consumption unite state fuel illicit industry ask would navigate political tensions mattis say share security concern partnerships military-to-military exchange base trust respect go build trust show respect independence day mattis say stay political fray ask contentious issue two countries question role border wall issue mattis say u.s. military role enforce border new york time quote trump chief staff john kelly suggest mexico verge collapse compare venezuela former president huge chavez ask whether think mexico verge collapse mattis say flatly no every nation challenge deal mexico keenly aware support deal mattis say mattis also say would also absolutely express condolences mexican victims recent earthquake strike country kill 96 people mexico also host admiral john richardson chief naval operations navy high uniform officer general lori robinson head u.s. northern command independence day activities mattis first u.s. defense secretary attend events although mexico official independence day sept. 16 celebrations take place sept. 15. event commemorate launch mexico war independence spain 1810. fact senior u.s. military officials would visit important national event notable mexicans long memory mexican-american war 1846-1848 lead mexico loss almost half territory unite state war make u.s.-mexican military cooperation somewhat sensitive subject mexico apparent nod mexican sensitivities mattis call tie two militaries strong quiet sign improve u.s.-mexican cooperation crack heroin trade reuters report april mexico army allow unite state unite nations observe opium poppy eradication mexican army take u.s. military officials helicopter tour half dozen sit sinaloa chihuahua two three state along durango make golden triangle mexican opium produce one source say time mexico visit trump 's defense chief talk trust respect