Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador gestures during a news conference at the National Palace in Mexico City, Mexico, June 4, 2019. REUTERS/Gustavo Graf

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he is “optimistic” that talks in Washington aimed at averting across-the-board tariffs on Mexican exports to the United States can reach an agreement.

Lopez Obrador emphasized the need to maintain good relations while negotiating firmly with the Trump Administration in the spat over immigration in remarks during his regular morning news conference on Wednesday.