Trump’s UN speech draws unintended laughter NP2
U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP DELIVERED A SHARP REBUKE OF GLOBAL GOVERNING AT THE UNITED NATIONS ON TUESDAY, PROMOTED HIS ‘AMERICA FIRST’ AGENDA AND BOASTED OF AMERICA’S ECONOMIC AND MILITARY MIGHT.
IRAN BLASTED
Trump singled out Iran for particularly harsh criticism as his administration ramped up pressure on Tehran to change its behaviour or face additional American consequences. Trump blasted what he called Iran’s “corrupt dictatorship” and accused its leaders of enriching themselves through massive embezzlement and raiding state coffers to spread “mayhem” across the Middle East and around the world. Trump called out Iran’s “bloody agenda” in Syria and Yemen in particular, vowing to continue to isolate Iran through U.S. sanctions that are being reinstated following his withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal earlier this year. The next round of sanctions that had been eased under the accord will take effect in early November and Trump said they would not be the last. He later predicted that the pressure from renewed sanctions would force Iran back to the table to negotiate. “Iran’s leaders sow chaos, death and destruction,” Trump told the UN General Assembly in a speech that was more critical of Iran than any other country. “They do not respect their neighbours or borders or the sovereign rights of nations. Instead Iran’s leaders plunder the nation’s resources to enrich themselves and to spread mayhem across the Middle East and far beyond.”
AMERICA FIRST
Trump declared that America, under his leadership, had achieved new economic and military heights. While he ran for office on a promise to “Make America Great Again,” he said that his accomplishments would benefit the world. “We’re standing up for America and the American people, and we’re also standing up for the world,” he said. He declared that the U.S. military is “more powerful than it has ever been before,” and said that in “less than two years, my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country.” The president’s remarks drew chuckles and some leaders broke into outright laughter. Appearing briefly flustered, Trump smiled and joked, “Didn’t expect that reaction, but that’s OK.”
CHINA’S ABUSE
He singled out China for “abuse” in its trade practices and said countries in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries “are, as usual, ripping off the rest of the world. We defend many of these nations for nothing,” he said. “We are not going to put up with it, these horrible processes, much longer.” The United States is the largest provider of foreign aid, “but few give anything to us. That is why we are taking a hard look at foreign assistance.”
GLOBALISM REJECTED
Trump seized his opportunity to assert American independence from the international body. He was unapologetic about his decisions to engage with the erstwhile pariah North Korea, remove the U.S. from the international Iran nuclear accord and object to UN programs he believes were contrary to American interests. “We reject the ideology of globalism and we embrace the doctrine of patriotism,” Trump said. He referenced a long list of UN initiatives, from the International Criminal Court to the Human Rights Council, that his administration was working to undermine. “As far as America is concerned, the ICC has no jurisdiction, no legitimacy and no authority,” he said. The U.S. is boycotting the Human Rights Council, arguing it overlooks abuses by some and serves as a venue for anti-American and anti-Israeli action. “The U.S. will not tell you how to live and work or worship,” Trump said. “We only ask that you honour our sovereignty in return.”
VENEZUELA SANCTIONS
Trump denounced the socialist government of President Nicolas Maduro, whose oppressive leadership has resulted in a collapse of the nation’s economy and a massive human rights crisis as hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans have fled the country. Trump announced new U.S. sanctions on Maduro and his inner circle. “Virtually everywhere socialism and communism has been tried, it has led to corruption and decay,” Trump said. He called on the world to “resist socialism and the misery it brings to everyone.”
TRUST DEFICIT DISORDER
In his speech, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the world “is suffering from a bad case of ‘Trust Deficit Disorder’.” He said the principle of multinational co-operation “is under fire precisely when we need it most.” The UN chief issued a sweeping appeal to revive multilateralism saying that at a time of “massive, existential threats” to people and the planet, “there is no way forward but collective, common-sense action for the common good.” He said world leaders had a duty to improve their people’s well-being, but also to “promote and support a reformed, reinvigorated and strengthened multilateral system.”