Mexican president-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador responded Monday to President Trump’s congratulations, saying the two leaders could “reach an understanding” with each other regarding the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Obrador said in an interview with Televisa news network that Trump’s Twitter congratulations were “very respectful,” and said he wants to maintain “mutual respect” with the U.S. government, the Associated Press reported.
“We are never going to disrespect the U.S. government, because we want them to respect us,” Obrador said. “At the appropriate moment, we are going to get in touch [with the Trump administration], to reach an understanding.”
Obrador is skeptical when it comes to NAFTA, and so is Trump, who according to an Axios report said during the G-7 summit in June that NATO is just as bad as NAFTA.
“We are conscious of the need to maintain good relations with the United States,” Obrador said.
On Sunday night, Trump tweeted his congratulations to Obrador, who has often been compared to the U.S. president for his personality and nationalist rhetoric.
“Congratulations to Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on becoming the next President of Mexico,” Trump tweeted. “I look very much forward to working with him. There is much to be done that will benefit both the United States and Mexico!
Congratulations to Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on becoming the next President of Mexico. I look very much forward to working with him. There is much to be done that will benefit both the United States and Mexico!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 2, 2018
