*Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2017 *

**Remarks Prior to a Meeting With Prime Minister Alexios Tsipras of Greece and an Exchange With Reporters **

*October 17, 2017 *

*President Trump.* Thank you very much, everybody. It's an honor to have Prime Minister Tsipras of Greece with us. As you know, Greece has gone through a lot over the last number of years, but they are doing a terrific job of coming back. And they will be back. And we're working with them on many different things. They're upgrading their fleets of airplanes—the F–16 plane, which is a terrific plane. They're doing big upgrades. And we're doing trade with Greece.

And we're going to have some meetings right after this. We're having meetings with the staff. We're having a luncheon with the staff also. And we'll be talking about additional ways where Greece will help us and we will help Greece.

But we've had a long-time relationship with Greece. They have been great friends and loyal friends and allies. And we look forward to our discussion today. Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister.

*Prime Minister Tsipras.* Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you for the invitation and the hospitality. I am sure that we'll have very fruitful discussion today. I think that there is as a very important moment for our strategic cooperation, and I'm sure that we'll do whatever it takes to enhance this cooperation.

Greece is a strategic partner in a very sensitive region, but every time was a very reliable partner for the United States.

*President Trump.* That's true. That's true.

*Prime Minister Tsipras.* And we share common values. Don't forget that when Greece was born, freedom—the values of freedom and democracy that we are sharing all together.

So I'm very happy to be here. It's an honor for me.

*President Trump.* It's my honor. Thank you.

*Health Care Reform *

*Q. *Mr. President, if Obamacare is dead, aren't you trying to keep it alive in some ways?

*President Trump.* Obamacare is virtually dead. At best, you could say it's in its final legs. The premiums are going through the roof. The deductibles are so high that people don't get to use it. Obamacare is a disgrace to our Nation, and we are solving the problem of Obamacare. Okay?

*Q*. Which is it? Which is it?

*The President*. Thank you all very much. Thank you. Thank you.

NOTE: The President spoke at 12:07 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White House.

*Categories:* Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters :: White House; Meetings With Foreign Leaders and International Officials : Greece, Prime Minister Tsipras*.* *Locations: W*ashington, DC.

*Names:* Tsipras, Alexios*.*

*Subjects:* Greece : Economic reforms; Greece : Prime Minister; Greece : Relations with U.S.; Greece : Trade with U.S.; Health and medical care : Affordability and costs; Health and medical care : Health insurance reforms.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD201700764.