Trump, Merkel agree on NATO's 'fundamental importance'

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump and Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed during a telephone call Saturday that NATO is "fundamental," the White House said, despite the American leader's past characterization of the transatlantic military alliance as "obsolete."

"The president and chancellor also agreed on the NATO alliance's fundamental importance to the broader transatlantic relationship and its role in ensuring the peace and stability of our North Atlantic community," a White House statement said.

It added that Trump will attend the upcoming G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany in July.