The interview also touched on domestic matters, including the budget.
Mr. Obama reiterated his opposition to staying within strict spending caps and automatic cuts known as sequestration. The president said that if Republicans, who unveiled budget blueprints last week that kept the limits, produce spending legislation that holds to that position, it would translate into drastic cuts in programs, including education.
“I’m not going to sign it,” he said.
His own budget proposed spending about $75 billion more, equally split between defense and domestic programs.
Mr. Obama also said he would move “relatively soon” to issue new rules to raise the annual salary threshold below which employees who work more than 40 hours per week must be paid overtime wages. The requirement currently applies only to employees who earn $23,600 or less. The president would not reveal what the new limit would be.