In Greece, Obama Says Fears of 'Globalization' Led to Trump Win

During his final trip as U.S. President, Barack Obama told Greek reporters on Tuesday that the result of the presidential election in his country was influenced by “anger or frustration” in the population, alongside a "troubling" strain of rhetoric playing on people's fears of globalization.

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"You've seen some of the rhetoric among Republican elected officials and activists and media. Some of it pretty troubling and not necessarily connected to facts, but being used effectively to mobilize people," he said.

Obama spoke at a press conference alongside Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Athens, the first stop on his last foreign trip as President of the United States. He has been given a lukewarm response in the Mediterranean country, which is still reeling from the austerity measures imposed by the EU and its allies. Obama acknowledged that these measures have put a strain on "Greek workers, pensioners."

In the wake of Donald Trump’s election victory, Obama was questioned several times about his successor.

“First I have to say I was surprised by the election’s result,” the president said, adding that he did not to feel responsible for Trump's victory, but acknowledged his role in ensuring a proper transition for the next government.

"We are going to have to guard against a rise in a crude sort of nationalism,” he said when asked about the possible rise of the far right in Europe. However, he refused to make any direct comparisons with the next U.S. president.

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As a means to reassure European allies' anxiety over the incoming president, Obama attempted to put minds at ease regarding Trump's pledge of renegotiating Washington’s relationship with NATO, saying there would be "significant continuity even as we see a transition in government in the United States."

The outgoing president praised Greece as a "reliable ally" in its commitment to NATO, even under tremendous strain from the country's debt crisis.

He added that Greece's economy needs "space" to return to growth again and said he would urge the country's foreign creditors to take steps towards putting the country on the path to a lasting and durable economic recovery.