The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday, Aug. 1, edition that incoming Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador says he expects a deal will be reached in the renegotiation of the North American free-trade agreement in the coming days. A triple bylined item in The Globe reports that Mr. Lopez Obrador's comments on Tuesday come as Mexico and the United States have been conducting bilateral negotiations, without Canada, on the rules that should govern automobiles sold duty-free in the NAFTA zone. His trade adviser, Jesus Seade, has taken part in these talks. Further high-level talks between U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer and Mexico's Economy Secretary Ildefonso Guajardo are planned for Thursday in Mexico. Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, who had offered to attend, but was told it was not necessary, will instead be in Singapore talking with Asian allies. Canada's ambassador to the United States, David MacNaughton, said he expects three-way negotiations between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico will resume in August. This would include civil-servant-level talks between all three countries as well as higher-level discussions including Ms. Freeland and her NAFTA counterparts.