At a news conference in Laos on Thursday, at the end of his final ASEAN summit, President Obama discussed the importance of southeast Asia and ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations), and pledged to do everything he can to solidify U.S. ties to the region and push through the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal. When he opened the floor to questions, reporters asked him about Donald Trump. He could have demurred, citing an American tradition of domestic politics stopping at the water's edge, but instead he was pretty blunt.
"As far as Mr. Trump, I think I've already offered my opinion," Obama said. "I don't think the guy is qualified to be president of the United States. And every time he speaks, that opinion is confirmed." He wasn't done. "This is serious business, and you have to actually know what you're talking about, and you actually have to have done your homework, and when you speak, it should actually reflect thought-out policy you can implement," he said. "And I have confidence that if, in fact, people just listen to what he has to say and look at his track record — or lack thereof — that they'll make a good decision." You can watch below. Peter Weber
The Week
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