US President Barack Obama has reiterated Hillary Clinton in saying that the President-elect Donald Trump should be given a chance and people should "wait and see" what his presidency would be like. Obama, however, highlighted that if the "ideals" of America were questioned, he wouldn't hesitate from being critical.
Obama made the statement during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru. The press conference was his last abroad as US President. Obama spent most of the trip answering questions regarding what Trump means for America's global policy.
"I want to be respectful of the office and give the President-elect an opportunity to put forward his platform and his arguments without somebody popping off in every instance," Obama said.
"If there's specifics that have less to do with some proposal or battle but goes to the core questions about our values and our ideals, and if I think that it's necessary or helpful for me to defend those ideal then I'll examine it when it comes," he added.
Obama indicated that he can't guarantee that Trump won't follow through with the promises made during his campaign, but believed that reality will "force Trump to adjust."
"We're not going to be able to solve every problem, but if we're not on the side of what's right, if we're not making the argument and fighting for it even if sometimes we're not able to deliver it 100 percent everywhere, then it collapses," Obama told reporters.
"There's nobody to fill the void. There really isn't," he added, speaking about America's influence on the world.
Obama also said that his administration would help Trump's team in the transition as he was helped by George W Bush's.
"It's a hard job. He's got plenty on his agenda. It's difficult. A former President doesn't need to make it any harder. Other presidents have taken different decisions. That's mine," he said.
