Obama sets off on farewell trip to Europe in shadow of president-elect
US president must reassure allies but may privately coach his closest partner Angela Merkel on ways to keep Trump in line
Barack Obama spent the months before the US election denouncing Donald Trump as unfit for office. Now he must eat his words. When he makes his final visit to Europe this week, in what had been planned as a triumphant farewell tour, Obama’s awkward job is to reassure nervous allies that a Trump presidency will not be as bad as they fear.
It’s a tall order. François Hollande, France’s president, said in August that Trump’s excesses “make you want to retch”....Latest US news, breaking news and current affairs coverage from theguardian.com |