TOKYO, May 26 (UPI) — President Barack Obama said world leaders are “rattled” by the prospect of Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, becoming president — and Obama said they have “good reason.”
Obama, speaking at the outset of a Group of Seven summit in Japan, was asked about Trump during a press conference. Obama said world leaders “are paying very close attention to this election … I think it’s fair to say they are surprised by the Republican nominee.”
Obama also said world leaders have not been able to decide “how seriously to take some of [Trump’s] pronouncements.”
Trump has at times bragged about his off-balance approach to foreign affairs, saying he believes the United States is too predictable. Trump has said he does not want to make his full views public on some matters of state because it would allow adversaries an advantage.
In other instances, he has made bold proclamations about foreign countries. He has proposed building a wall on the Mexican border and has taken a harsh line against China over the U.S. trade imbalance. He has also said he would have “no problem” speaking directly with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, a statement that was later dismissed by a North Korean diplomat as “dramatics.”
Obama addressed the North Korean stalemate, calling the country’s continued nuclear ambitions a “big worry” for the region.
