President Donald Trump shakes hands with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras at news conference in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Republished October 17, 2017 - 11:04 AM
Original Publication Date October 17, 2017 - 9:51 AM
WASHINGTON - The Latest on the Greek prime minister's White House visit (all times local):
1:55 p.m.
President Donald Trump says the U.S. stands with Greece as they recover from their economic crisis. He is speaking with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras (TSEE'-prahs) at the White House in a joint news conference.
The U.S. president says the two leaders have discussed defence, energy, commerce and trade.
Trump is praising Greece for its defence spending under NATO and is noting a potential sale to Greece to upgrade its F-16 aircraft, which he says would be worth up to $2.4 billion and generate thousands of U.S. jobs.
Tsipras says his country has made economic strides and is "leaving behind the economic model that led to the crisis." He says Greece's relationship with the U.S. is "more important than ever."
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12:30 pm.
President Donald Trump says Greece has "gone through a lot" but "is doing a terrific job of coming back" — an apparent reference to the country's ability to weather its economic troubles.
Trump is welcoming the country's prime minister, Alexis Tsipras (TSEE'-prahs), to the White House Tuesday.
Greece has relied on international bailouts since 2010 to address hardships during the recent economic recession.
Trump said they will be talking about ways the United States and Greece can help each other.
Tsipras said he was happy to be at the White House and said he expected a "very fruitful discussion." He also said the countries share the "values of freedom and democracy."
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12:10 p.m.
President Donald Trump is welcoming Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to the White House to address a range of economic and security issues — and perhaps make amends.
Trump was meeting with the Greek leader in the Oval Office for talks Tuesday that are expected to cover defenceco-operation, economic investment and energy security.
They also may talk about the past. During the 2016 election, the left-leaning Greek premier warned that Trump represented an "evil" set of ideas.
Trump tweeted in 2012 that Greece should get out of the euro and go back to its own currency, adding, "they are just wasting time."
Greece has relied on international bailouts since 2010 to address hardships during the economic recession. In exchange, the country imposed painful spending cuts, tax hikes and reforms.
News from © The Associated Press, 2017