LISBON, Portugal – Back on the world stage for crucial talks, President Barack Obama on Friday quickly encountered European leaders willing to question a president weakened at home and rebuffed abroad.
Standing next to Obama to address the media after the two met privately, Portugal's president, Anibal Cavaco Silva, complained that the level of U.S. investment in his country is "far from what you would expect."
He said Portuguese trade and exports to the U.S. also were far from where they could be.
Obama did not respond to Cavaco Silva's comments when it was his turn to speak, choosing to focus on the goals for his latest trip abroad to attend NATO and U.S.-European Union summits.
"We've come to Lisbon again to revitalize the NATO alliance for the 21st century and to strengthen the partnership between the United States and the European Union," Obama said.
The president said the summit also provides an important opportunity for NATO and European nations to align their approach to transition in Afghanistan "as we move toward a new phase, a transition to Afghan responsibility beginning in 2011 with Afghan forces taking the lead for security across Afghanistan by 2014."
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