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WASHINGTON – President Trump dominated the meeting of the UN General Assembly this week.
He highlighted his vision of "America first" in his speech to the assembly and at a rousing press conference the next day. In small meetings, he spoke of global problems that continue to vex the United States and other countries – from the North Korean nuclear program to the electoral interference of foreign powers. And he ignored the laughter of other world leaders in his typically boastful words.
"I was struck by how he wanted to use this audience and by this opportunity to reject some of the key principles of global multilateralism," said Dafna Rand, former head of the State Department, now vice-president of policies and of research at Mercy Corps, a news agency. organization of humanitarian aid.
"He used this speech to reject the very principle of the United Kingdom," she said.
Between these ideas, Trump and his senior officials detailed specific policy positions and gave a clearer idea of how the United States is grappling with big dilemmas. Here are five points to remember about their vision of US foreign policy, as presented at the summit of the global body.
The US Army in Syria could change to face Iran.
John R. Bolton, a national security adviser, said Monday that US forces would remain in Syria as long as Iran would maintain a military presence in that country. Iran and Russia are the two main allies of the Syrian government, led by President Bashar al-Assad. It is therefore unlikely that Iran will withdraw its military units anytime soon.
And the United States either, said Mr. Bolton.
"We will not leave until the Iranian troops are outside Iran's borders, including Iranian proxies and militias," Bolton told reporters in New York.
After Mr. Bolton made his remarks, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters at the Pentagon that US troops in Syria remained focused on the Islamic State.
"At present, our troops in Syria are only there for one purpose, which is allowed by the UK to defeat the Islamic State group," said Mattis. "Our troops are here for that."
But Mr Mattis added that the troops would not leave as soon as the Islamic State would be defeated, as this could lead to instability.
Mr. Trump has repeatedly threatened to withdraw his American troops and is wary of the involvement of the United States in endless wars. On Thursday, James F. Jeffrey, top US diplomat on Syria, told reporters that Mr. Trump "wants us in Syria" until the departure of the Iranian army and their agents, among other conditions. .
But, said Mr Jeffrey, confronting Iran does not necessarily mean "boots on the ground".
Trump's three main foreign policy makers – Bolton, Mattis and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo – support a broad US strategy to contain Iran's military activities in the region.
Federica Mogherini, a senior EU foreign policy official, said this week that the bloc, China and Russia are collaborating with Iran. Set up a special payment system that will allow countries to avoid the economic sanctions that the Trump administration seeks to impose on Iran. Mr Trump announced in May that the United States would impose sanctions after being removed from the nuclear deal reached between President Barack Obama and other world powers with the US. Iran in 2015.
The United States is not being pressed by North Korea to get rid of its nuclear weapons.
The United States insists that North Korea must get rid of its nuclear weapons before economic sanctions are lifted. Officials debated whether North Korea should be pressed to meet a timetable; Mr. Bolton says that the sooner the better. But at the press conference Wednesday, Mr. Trump said that he was not to set a deadline for denuclearization.
"I do not want to get into the game of time," said Trump.
"I have all the time in the world," he added. "I do not have to rush."
He noted that the process could take "two years, three years or five months".
After meeting in Singapore in June, Trump said Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, had accepted denuclearization. Since then, Kim has insisted that the United States declare the official end of the Korean War before taking any significant action. South Korean President Moon Jae-in supported this position.
Mr Trump said this week that he would meet soon with Mr Kim, and Mr Pompeo said he would be going to North Korea next month to continue his diplomacy. Last week, Mr. Pompeo said that nuclear negotiations with North Korea would end in January 2021.
Trade disputes with China and Canada are bad.
Trade has dominated Trump's foreign policy, and disputes between two major trading partners – China and Canada – do not seem to be in flux.
Mr. Trump began a trade war with China during the summer, and last week he escalated the conflict. announcing tariffs on 200 billion additional dollars of Chinese products. In Tuesday's speech, Trump criticized China for "ceaseless product dumping, forced technology transfer and intellectual property theft", as well as for the violation of World Trade Organization rules. .
At a Security Council meeting on Wednesday, Trump said China was trying to interfere in the upcoming US elections because of its strong stance on trade. "They do not want us to win because I am the first president to ever challenge China in trade," he said.
Mr. Trump did not submit any evidence of electoral interference. US intelligence officials pointed out that Russian operations are a threat to the elections here and have not talked much about the similar role played by China.
Meanwhile, the United States has been drawn into tough trade negotiations with Canada. Both countries and Mexico have not been able to reach agreement on a new version of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Trump said Wednesday he rejected a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the General Assembly and threatened to impose tariffs on cars that Canada exports to the United States.
"We are very dissatisfied with Canada's negotiations and negotiating style," he said.
Trump supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Wednesday, before a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr. Trump made his most explicit remarks to date on the form of the peace proposal on which his son-in-law and senior advisor, Jared Kushner, was working. He said his favorite plan was two states, one for Israelis and the other for Palestinians.
"That's what I think works best," he said.
Later, at his press conference, he reiterated this position. "I think it's going to be a two-state state," said Trump. However, he also stated that he was in agreement with only one state if that was what the Israelis and the Palestinians wanted.
For many years, a two-state solution has been the preferred position of US negotiators. However, issues relating to the definition of States have been difficult to resolve, including the status of Jerusalem and the requirement of the right of return of Palestinian refugees. Last year, the United States recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, although Palestinians have long hoped that East Jerusalem will become the capital of a Palestinian state.
This decision by Mr Trump prompted the Palestinian Authority to declare that it would not take part in the negotiations.
In recent months, the Trump administration has cut major annual aid programs in the United States. traditionally attributed to organizations working with Palestinian refugees, including the United Nations.
Mr. Kushner and other senior administration officials believe that this will force the Palestinian Authority to negotiate. Palestinian officials and analysts in the region said radical policies only angered Palestinians.
Mr Trump said Wednesday that he hoped to present the peace proposal within four months.
"All options are on the table" with regard to US policy towards Venezuela.
The Venezuelan government has always been a hit bag for Mr Trump. He criticized the policies of President Nicolás Maduro, a left-wing politician who exercised authoritarian powers, and said the Venezuelan government needed to change course to cope with the economic crisis that caused many Venezuelans to leave neighboring countries. .
Despite his harsh words, Mr. Trump said Wednesday that he was ready to meet Mr. Maduro.
"We will take care of Venezuela, where he is here and what he wants to meet; it was not in my head, it was not on my plate, but if I can help people, that's why I'm here, "said Trump.
This does not mean that the United States is softening towards Mr. Maduro. Trump also hinted to reporters that he would support the use of force to ensure that the Venezuelan government is changing its policies.
"All options are on the table," he said. "All people, strong and weak, every option – and you know what I mean by strong."
The New York Times reported in September that the Trump administration held secret meetings with rebel military officials from Venezuela to discuss the overthrow of Mr. Maduro.
On Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Maduro made a surprise visit to the General Assembly and rose up against the United States in a 50-minute speech, calling the Americans "imperialist". He and Mr. Trump did not meet.
Julian E. Barnes contributed to the reports.
