In the United States, Trump urges nations to give priority to their citizens and rejects the "globalists"

Mr. Trump argued for free and fair trade even as he defended his fierce use of tariffs to get countries around the world – including some close allies – to comply with his requirements.

He assured the meeting of the US General Assembly that the use of force was his last resort and highlighted efforts to dialogue with countries such as North Korea and Iran. , long opposed to the United States.

"Many of America's greatest friends today were once his greatest enemies," he said. "The United States does not seek to clash with another nation. We desire peace, cooperation and mutual gain with all. But I will never fail to defend the interests of America. "

Mr. Trump's speech was delivered as he faced a series of foreign policy challenges, including a thorny trade dispute with China and an escalation of the dispute with Iran.

A long-time critic of global alliances, Mr Trump in the UK this year is seeking to concoct a new global coalition of countries to negotiate a new deal with Iran going beyond nuclear issues.

He avoided intervention by military action after an attack on the Saudi oil industry earlier this month. secretary of state

Mike Pompeo

accused Iran for this attack. France, Germany and the United Kingdom joined Monday the United States to blame Iran.

"All nations have a duty to act," he said. "As long as Iran's threatening behavior persists, sanctions will not be lifted. They will be tightened. "

IMr. Trump's remarks on China have been among the strongest so far. He called on Beijing to "respect its binding treaty to protect Hong Kong's freedom, legal system and democratic lifestyles" after months of pro-democracy protests that have often led to violent clashes.

On the economic front, he said that China had abused its membership in the World Trade Organization by using it to implement an unfair trade agenda. He defended his trade war with China, calling on the international community to unite to put pressure on China so that it adopts fair and reciprocal trading practices.

China "has adopted an economic model that relies on massive market barriers, heavy state subsidies, currency manipulation, product dumping, forced technology transfers and theft of intellectual property, as well as commercial scale, "he said. "For years, these abuses have been tolerated, ignored or even encouraged."

He said he was optimistic that trade negotiations with China would "restore balance" in relations.

Mr. Trump spoke at length about border security, a domestic issue that divided the world, which he described Tuesday as an important global issue. He praised Mexico's efforts to stem the flow of migration to the United States and stressed the need for economic development in many Central American countries to encourage people to stay at home.

"These countries will not be able to reach their potential if a generation of young people leave their homes in search of a life elsewhere," he said.

He also offered his support to the Venezuelan population living under the authority of President Nicolás Maduro, whom he described as a "Cuban puppet". He promised all humanitarian aid to "Venezuelans trapped in this nightmare" and cited the deterioration of the country as proof of the dangers of socialism and communism.

The 35-minute speech covered a wide range of topics. The president called on nations to stop criminalizing homosexuality, expressed his administration's solidarity with LGBTQ people and called on leaders to better control foreign technologies and investments and to protect data and security.

He also criticized the growing power of social media platforms, as well as exorcised media and academic institutions which, he said, have compromised the freedom of expression and "drive to the assault of our history, our traditions and our values ​​".

"A free society can not allow the giants of social media to silence the voice of the people and a free people must always be engaged in the cause of silence, coercion, cancellation or registration blacklist of its own neighbors, "he said.

Mr. Trump arrived at the September annual meeting of world leaders, a more experienced politician than at his first appearance before the world body.

In 2017, Mr. Trump appeared in his debut in the United States, a joker with unconventional ideas, even wacky, closely watched by diplomats. He presented the other leaders with his "America First" point of view, nicknamed the North Korean leader "Rocket Man", and described Iran as a corrupt dictatorship.

A year later, Trump offered a more subdued but equally provocative performance. He arrived late, prompting the organizers to reorganize the list of speakers. Moments of his speech, Mr. Trump said that his administration had accomplished more than "almost every administration in the history of our country," which caused an explosion of laughter in the hall of the house. General Assembly.

Several members of the president's family attended his speech on Tuesday, including the first lady Melania Trump, her daughters Ivanka and

Tiffany Trump,

and his eldest son, Donald Jr. Vice President

Mike Pence

and Robert O'Brien, newly appointed National Security Advisor, attended the meeting as official delegates from the United States.

The President also held a number of one-on-one meetings with world leaders. He met the British Prime Minister

Boris Johnson

and Indian Prime Minister

Narendra Modi

following his speech. Mr Trump said he expects a new trade agreement with India "very soon".

The two countries are seeking a miniature deal that would likely allow India to benefit from a tariff reduction program that the Trump government dismissed from New Delhi earlier this year. In exchange, India is expected to open its markets to more US exports, such as agricultural products.

Write to Vivian Salama at [email protected]