America
Trump committed to US alliances: Obama
Washington, Nov 15 US President Barack Obama said he will strive
during his last international tour as head of state to reassure US allies of
President-elect Donald Trump's interest in maintaining his country's core
strategic relationships.
Hours before leaving on a trip that will take him to Greece, Germany and Peru,
the president met reporters on Monday for the first time since Trump's surprise
victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton in the November 8 election, Efe news
reported.
The Republican made controversial comments about foreign policy on the campaign
trail, calling NATO "obsolete" and criticizing Washington's partners
in the Atlantic Alliance for not spending enough on the military.
Asked at the press conference what he will tell world leaders about Trump's
approach to foreign policy, Obama referred to the discussion he had with the
president-elect last Thursday at the White House.
"In my conversation with the president-elect he expressed a great interest
in maintaining our core strategic relationships, and so one of the messages I
will be able to deliver is his commitment to NATO and the Trans-Atlantic
Alliance," the outgoing president said.
"I think that's one of the most important functions I can serve at this
stage during this trip is to let them know that there is no weakening of
resolve when it comes to America's commitment to maintaining a strong and
robust NATO relationship and a recognition that those alliances aren't just
good for Europe. They are good for the United States and they are vital for the
world," Obama said.
Most observers both in the US and abroad were confident that former Secretary
of State Clinton would win the presidential contest
"Look, we certainly expect that the election will be the primary topic on
people's minds everywhere we go," Deputy National Security Adviser Ben
Rhodes said in a briefing for journalists ahead of the president's foreign
trip.