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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."
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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 approach to foreign affairs, saying he believes the United States is too predictable. He responded much the same during an appearance in North Dakota on Thursday, saying it was a "good thing" foreign governments were rattled. Trump has said he does not want to make his full views public on some matters of state because it would give adversaries an advantage.
"When you rattle someone, that's good," Trump said. "If they're rattled in a friendly way, that's a good thing not a bad thing. The president has done a horrible job, everyone understands that. ... He's got to say something. And every time he has a press conference he's talking about me."
Trump also assailed Obama for discussing domestic politics while on foreign soil.
"He shouldn't be airing what he's airing where he is right now," Trump said.
While Trump has been mum on some issues of state, at other times 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.
