President Barack Obama listens to Uruguay's President Jose Mujica during a press availability in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on May 12, 2014
President Barack Obama lauded trade and commercial ties between the US and Uruguay Monday during his meeting with the South American nation's president.
Obama said his Oval Office discussions with President Jose Mujica were "an opportunity to find ways that we can further deepen this relationship."
"We both think that there's room for additional work to expand trade and commerce between our countries," he said.
Obama added that he has been "consistently impressed" with the progress Uruguay has made since Mujica took office in 2010, particularly his commitment to democracy and human rights.
Mujica rarely dons a tie and made no exception for his visit to the White House. The former guerrilla fighter has also garnered attention for driving an old Volkswagen Beetle and continuing to live on a ramshackle flower farm with his wife.
The 78-year-old Mujica said he wished he could visit other places in the United States during his trip, but is growing old and does not travel much anymore.