Obama: Trump is committed to 'strong and robust' NATO. President says 'there is no weakening of resolve' on key alliance
- Obama uses press conference at White House to claim his successor is committed to alliance
- Questions were raised over NATO commitment because of Trump's comments about member states not paying their way
- But Obama said Trump had told him he wanted strong alliance
Vouching for the successor he never imagined having, President Barack Obama on Monday said the United States under Donald Trump would remain the 'indispensable nation' for global security and praised the president-elect for vowing to maintain America's alliances.
'There is no weakening of resolve,' Obama said before departing on a three-nation trip that was supposed to be his grand valedictory tour.
Instead, he will now confront concerns about a Trump presidency in Europe and Latin America and have to reassure nations about a man who Obama only a week ago derided as 'woefully unprepared for the job' who 'can't handle the nuclear codes.'
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO
Committed: President Obama said his successor had told him he was committed to 'strong and robust' NATO partnerships
'There is enormous continuity ... that makes us that indispensable nation when it comes to maintaining order around the world,' Obama said at a news conference at the White House.
Relationships and policies go beyond presidents, he said, adding that military officials, diplomats and intelligence officers would cooperate with their foreign counterparts as before.
And Obama tried to soothe any fears about the security direction in which Trump wanted to take America, after Trump appeared to question the validity of NATO and other overseas U.S. commitments at various points in his campaign.
During his meeting with Trump, Obama said Trump 'expressed a great interest in maintaining our core strategic relationships,' including 'strong and robust NATO' partnerships.
Even as he visits Germany, Greece and Peru, Obama said his team would accelerate efforts to ensure a smooth transition to the Trump administration.
He stressed that he would try to strengthen the American economy over his final two months, so that 'when we turn over the keys, the car's in pretty good shape.'
Most watched News videos
- SNL mocks confident Clinton supporters with Dave Chappelle
- Mob storm police station and lynch suspected paedophile
- Dashcam footage captures moment van swerves before crashing
- Chili's manager snatches veteran's free meal after complaint
- Got any oink-tment?: Excited piglets take a warm bath
- Obama on Trump: This office has a way of waking you up
- Emotional Chelsea Handler fights back tears over election results
- Pres. Obama: Reflection 'healthy' for Democratic party
- SNL mocks government shutdown with Gravity skit
- Obama's dig at Clinton over her ground game failures
- Is this the creepy moment the corpse of a girl OPENS her eyes?
- Shocking moment Kumbuka tries to smash glass at London Zoo
- 'Reality has a way of asserting itself!' Condescending Obama...
- Obama's pointed rebuke to Clinton for election loss as he...
- Christian mom blogger reveals she is dating disgraced soccer...
- African-American soldier with his service dog, Barack, has...
- Supermoon 2016: Stunning photographs show incredible sights...
- PIERS MORGAN: And the award for the worst election loser...
- PICTURED: The 71 protesters arrested during fourth night of...
- 'Don't be afraid': Trump looks to reassure divided America...
- Man accused of raping and killing a 4-year-old girl is...
- 'You gotta print a fake birth certificate, put it in an...
- Ross Harris's ex-wife posts heartbroken Facebook message...
- West Virginia officials under fire for racist Facebook post...