washington president barack obama say monday would reassure u.s. ally trip overseas week republican president-elect donald trump plan maintain core u.s. strategic relationships around world include nato obama speak ahead trip europe latin america say one important things could visit reassure u.s. ally may concern follow trump victory democrat hillary clinton last week trump slam nato ally campaign pay enough defense suggest unite state pay disproportionate amount much give change world also tell washington post unite state could fund nato current level trump comment echo longstanding u.s. complaints many nato ally live pledge spend percent gross domestic product defense unite state four nato ally greece britain estonia poland meet goal last year france turkey close despite trump criticism nato spend campaign obama say president-elect take office jan. 20 indicate commit maintain tie u.s. ally conversation president-elect express great interest maintain core strategic relationships obama tell news conference departure one message able deliver commitment nato trans-atlantic alliance one important function serve stage ... let know weaken resolve come america commitment maintain strong robust nato relationship recognition alliances good europe good unite state vital world say european union agree new defense plan monday could see send rapid response force abroad first time move see give ability act without unite state necessary action appear galvanize part trump criticism obama visit greece germany peru last trip abroad president expect meet german chancellor angela merkel european leaders germany greece peru see chinese president xi jinping pacific leaders economic summit obama say u.s. foreign policy remain quite stable despite change administration part breadth u.s. government interactions nations enormous continuity beneath day-to-day news make us indispensable nation come maintain order promote prosperity around world continue obama tell reporters white house obama reassure u.s. ally trump 's commitment nato