LIMA, Peru (CNN) President Barack Obama in his final press conference abroad advised the world to "take a wait and see approach" for what a Donald Trump presidency may mean in terms of policy, but added that he would weigh in if the "ideals" of the country are called into question.

Obama, while speaking in Lima, Peru on the final day of his last trip abroad, spent the majority of his trip answering questions on what a Trump presidency will mean for international allies -- including America's influence globally.

Obama -- concluding the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima -- acknowledged that he wouldn't hesitate to play critic in a Trump presidency if "necessary."

"I want to be respectful of the office and give the President-elect an opportunity to put forward his platform and his arguments without somebody popping off in every instance," Obama said.

Say what you want, the man knew his way around a poncho. The Andean body drapes at APEC 2008 in Lima, Peru, were made from baby alpaca shearings

In Sydney (2007), APEC member economies issued their first Declaration on Climate Change, Energy Security and Clean Development. They did not, however, issue ultimatums on gratuitous kangaroo, Crocodile Dundee and Bloomin' Onion jokes.

Australia, 2007: Dryzabone does it – In Sydney (2007), APEC member economies issued their first Declaration on Climate Change, Energy Security and Clean Development. They did not, however, issue ultimatums on gratuitous kangaroo, Crocodile Dundee and Bloomin' Onion jokes.

In Hanoi (2006), the gents rolled in ao dai silk tunics . But only the ladies (seen here, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark) got to top off their look with traditional headwear.

In Busan (2005), South Korea, APEC members agreed to confront pandemic health threats , such as bird flu, and to appear not at all uncomfortable with the high-waisted flair of traditional Korean hanbok.

You'd think wearing a shirt of Thai silk spun with pure gold yarn would instantly make you a dashing figure. Yet only Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi (center) seemed to truly live up to the fabric at APEC 2003 in Bangkok.

While the fellas played it straight with pens in the pocket, only New Zealand's Helen Clark (standing admirably to attention here) got a splash of color at APEC 2002 in Los Cabos, Mexico.

Mexico, 2002: Fiestawear – While the fellas played it straight with pens in the pocket, only New Zealand's Helen Clark (standing admirably to attention here) got a splash of color at APEC 2002 in Los Cabos, Mexico.

Russian president Vladimir Putin effortlessly pulled off this updated version of the Chinese silk embroidered jacket worn by APEC attendees in Shanghai. George W. Bush seemed a little flummoxed by it all. (He would later gain sartorial revenge -- click on.)

China, 2001: Chinese style – Russian president Vladimir Putin effortlessly pulled off this updated version of the Chinese silk embroidered jacket worn by APEC attendees in Shanghai. George W. Bush seemed a little flummoxed by it all. (He would later gain sartorial revenge -- click on.)

New Zealand can be a chilly place. Ever the gracious host, Kiwi Prime Minister Jenny Shipley and Sir Tipene O'Regan bagged the only warm weather gear available at APEC 1999, held in Auckland.

New Zealand, 1999: Cold shoulders – New Zealand can be a chilly place. Ever the gracious host, Kiwi Prime Minister Jenny Shipley and Sir Tipene O'Regan bagged the only warm weather gear available at APEC 1999, held in Auckland.

From 2013, we go back in time also to Indonesia, but Bogor instead of Bali, for the second APEC meeting in 1994. Looking not at all stiff in his Javanese batik top, U.S. President Bill Clinton -- who started the funky photo tradition by passing out bomber jackets to participants at the inaugural APEC held near Seattle in 1993 -- stood front and center to celebrate the historic declaration.

Indonesia, 1994: Batik statement – From 2013, we go back in time also to Indonesia, but Bogor instead of Bali, for the second APEC meeting in 1994. Looking not at all stiff in his Javanese batik top, U.S. President Bill Clinton -- who started the funky photo tradition by passing out bomber jackets to participants at the inaugural APEC held near Seattle in 1993 -- stood front and center to celebrate the historic declaration.

For their get-together in Bali in 2013 APEC leaders and their partners were given clothing made from traditional Balinese woven endek, stitched together by a Chinese tailor in Jakarta.

Indonesia, 2013: Balinese shirts – For their get-together in Bali in 2013 APEC leaders and their partners were given clothing made from traditional Balinese woven endek, stitched together by a Chinese tailor in Jakarta.

Last year it was the turn of Beijing, which opted for Mao-style jackets in shades of burgundy, teal and brown. But many thought the leaders' outfits resembled those worn by Star Trek's Captain Kirk or Spock.

China, 2014: Star Trek convention? – Last year it was the turn of Beijing, which opted for Mao-style jackets in shades of burgundy, teal and brown. But many thought the leaders' outfits resembled those worn by Star Trek's Captain Kirk or Spock.

In 2015, the meeting was hosted by the Philippines, which chose its barong tagalog, an embroidered white shirt made from pineapple fiber and silk. As far as embarrassing shirts go, it wasn't too bad... unlike previous years.

Silly shirts season – In 2015, the meeting was hosted by the Philippines, which chose its barong tagalog, an embroidered white shirt made from pineapple fiber and silk. As far as embarrassing shirts go, it wasn't too bad... unlike previous years.

US President Barack Obama looks like he's barely stifling a giggle in his last official APEC photo. Each year, APEC leaders dress up in the host country's traditional garb for a "family photo" -- it's also been called the "silly shirts" photo. At this year's event in Lima, Peru, leaders wore shawls made of fine wool from the South American vicuna (a relative of the llama). The shawls were widely considered an improvement on Peru's "baggy poncho" effort in 2008 (see the last slide in this gallery).

Silly shirts season – US President Barack Obama looks like he's barely stifling a giggle in his last official APEC photo. Each year, APEC leaders dress up in the host country's traditional garb for a "family photo" -- it's also been called the "silly shirts" photo. At this year's event in Lima, Peru, leaders wore shawls made of fine wool from the South American vicuna (a relative of the llama). The shawls were widely considered an improvement on Peru's "baggy poncho" effort in 2008 (see the last slide in this gallery).

"If there's specifics that have less to do with some proposal or battle but goes to the core questions about our values and our ideals, and if I think that it's necessary or helpful for me to defend those ideal then I'll examine it when it comes."

The President also reiterated that while he "can't guarantee" that Trump won't pursue some of the positions he's taken on the campaign trail, the President said reality would "force" Trump to "adjust" how he approaches those issues in office.

Obama also stressed the importance of the US influence in the world, saying that no other country is able to "fill the void."

"We're not going to be able to solve every problem... but if we're not on the side of what's right, if we're not making the argument and fighting for it even if sometimes we're not able to deliver it 100% everywhere, then it collapses," President Obama told reporters.

"There's nobody to fill the void. There really isn't," he said.

Obama did acknowledge that other countries such as China are "very important," but said they do not contribute on the same scale. Pointing to the example of the Paris Climate Agreement saying, "China's not the one who was going around organizing 200 nations to sign on."

Obama's advice to Trump

While declining to directly respond to a question about how Trump should handle potential conflicts of interest in the White House due to his business dealings, Obama talked about what he did upon being elected in 2008. That included liquidating assets that might have raised questions about possibly influencing policy.

Obama also stressed following both the letter and spirit of the law and repeated that he is "extremely proud" that his administration hasn't had the kinds of scandals that have plagued other administrations.

Pull aside with Putin

President Obama said Sunday that in his brief chat with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Peru, that Russian influence on the election was not discussed because the campaign was over. "That's behind us," Obama said.

Obama, answering a question on whether cyber influences on elections are the "new norms" said as long as there was a responsible press and an "engaged citizenry then various attempts to meddle in our elections won't mean much."

"If generally we've got an election that isn't focused on issues and are full of fake news and false information and distractions then the issue is not going to be what's happening from the inside," he said. "The issue is what are we doing to ourselves from the inside. The good news is that's something we have control over."

Obama called the four-minute conversation with Putin "candid and courteous," which included discussions on Syria and Ukraine in which the President said he conveyed that he was "deeply concerned about the bloodshed and chaos that's being sewn by constant bombing attacks by Assad and the Russian military."

Defense of the Democratic Party

President Obama in Lima took up a strong defense of the Democratic Party, saying that he wasn't "worried about being the last Democratic president." Obama added he he wasn't saying that to be a "cute" point to the popular vote, which Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton won despite coming up short against Trump in the all-important Electoral College count.

Obama, however, conceded that following Clinton's surprising defeat, Democrats "have to do some thinking" about their message. But the President said he didn't believe "there has to be a complete overhaul."

Obama also defended the political skill of House Minority Leader Pelosi, but did not weigh in on the challenge to her leadership position in Congress. The longtime California Democrat is facing a leadership fight from Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio.

Obama said that the current minority leader "combines strong progressive values with just extraordinary political skill; and she does stuff that's tough. Not just stuff that's easy."