U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at his first press conference since last week's presidential election at the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, Nov. 14, 2016. Obama said on Monday that his successor Donald Trump, a frequent North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) critic on the presidential campaign trail, was committed to NATO. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama said on Monday his successor Donald Trump, a frequent North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) critic on the presidential campaign trail, was committed to NATO.
"In my conversation with the president-elect, he expressed a great interest in maintaining our core strategic relationships," said Obama here at his first press conference since last week's presidential election, adding that he would deliver that message to foreign leaders during his final overseas trip starting later Monday.
"That's one of the most important functions I can serve at this stage during this trip (which) 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," said Obama.
During his campaign, Trump had openly questioned the value of NATO alliance, calling NATO "obsolete" and once hinting that the United States may not defend NATO members unless they have lived up to their financial obligations.
