Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is the new president of Mexico, winning the election in what an Associated Press article called a “crushing victory.” The morning after he won the new job, he thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for his congratulatory message and said he’ll reach out to the U.S. leader to “reach an understanding.” Lopez Obrador called the congratulatory Tweet from Trump “very respectful,” and says that’s the kind of relationship he wants to maintain with the U.S. government, one of mutual respect.
The AP article notes that Lopez Obrador has been compared to the U.S. president because of his populist, national rhetoric, and sometimes “touchy” personality, as well as his past skepticism over the North American Free Trade Agreement. But, Lopez Obrador says he supports reaching a new NAFTA deal with the U.S. and Canada. Talks have been stalled recently because of the Trump Administration’s demands for higher U.S. content in automobiles and a “sunset clause” in the new deal. The new Mexican President plans on letting the country’s current negotiators represent their interests until he takes office on December 1st, and then he’ll name his own team of experts to take over.
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting News Service.