Trump offers a defense defying his approach to foreign policy vis-à-vis the American skeptical public

THE UNITED NATIONS – Stating that the United States will "never excuse to protect their citizens," President Trump on Tuesday presented a provocative defense of a transactional world view that is increasingly contradicting international bodies. such as the United Nations.

He used an address to the US General Assembly to warn that his administration would reject attempts by other countries to impose constraints on the US in areas such as trade, immigration, and security. while inviting other world leaders to do the same.

"America will always choose independence and cooperation in global governance, control and domination," Trump said in a 35-minute speech to a packed house. "I respect the right of every nation in this room to pursue its own customs, beliefs and traditions. The United States will not tell you how to live, work or worship. We only ask you to honor our sovereignty in return. "

Trump never delivered his "America First" campaign slogan, preferring the higher term of "sovereignty" for the same nationalist and protectionist shuffle of US engagement in world affairs.

He lost little time in stating that he had made progress on this program, but Trump 's approach to foreign affairs has resulted in tension within the international body – a dynamic that has taken its toll. Is manifested in the early moments of the speech of US economic indicators that echoed the lines of his campaign rallies.

He boasted of having made more progress than "almost any other administration in the history of our country" – causing audible laughter in the American cave. A frightened Trump seemed unbalanced for a moment.

"I did not expect this reaction, but it's okay," he said, and continued.

The United States played a leading role in the creation of the United Nations more than 70 years ago, hosting the world body and remaining its single largest donor. But Trump has been a persistent critic of the institution, and his close advisers, including National Security Adviser John Bolton, are skeptical about it, warning that the US does not have to pay so much or to comply with the rules. collective decisions.

Trump took advantage of his speech to issue a warning to the Iranian, Syrian, Venezuelan and Chinese leaders about what he described as their rogue behavior. He was particularly criticized for criticizing Iran, a theme he continued in informal remarks to reporters later in the day.

"That will not happen," Trump said of any Iranian ambitions of military influence and control in the Middle East.

He cited his withdrawal from the United States of the international nuclear agreement reached between the United States and Tehran as a perfect example of the new American approach under his presidency. He also recited other retractions from the consensus of most other US member states, including declaring Jerusalem to be the capital of Israel and refusing to sign an international agreement on migration.

The United States intends to reimpose additional sanctions on Iran in November, the last step in the exit of the nuclear deal, which Mr. Trump, who has been complaining for a long time, has treated unfairly -United.

Trump used his first appearance at the United Nations last year to face North Korea, including insulting Kim Jong Un as a "Rocket Man". But he posted a much more optimistic tone this year in June with a second summit tentatively scheduled for later this year.

Trump publicly thanked Kim for his "courage and the actions he took." He pointed out that Pyongyang had not tested a ballistic missile since the beginning of the engagement process earlier this year.

Asked later on whether the same trajectory of difficult talks and threats to warmer relations could be repeated with Iran, Trump said he was open to future talks on a different nuclear deal. .

"I think at some point they will want to negotiate. I've said no so far, "Trump said.

"It's me who said no, not them," he added, referring to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's remark on Monday that he would not meet Trump in New York this week.

"I think at some point we will have significant discussions and probably an agreement," Trump said. "I do not see how it works for them otherwise, otherwise they will be in the worst economic problems of any country in the world."

Trump had earlier tweeted on Tuesday that he did not intend to see Rouhani now, adding that he was "sure he was an absolutely adorable man".

United States. In turn, at the United States' rostrum, Mr. Rouhani denounced the expressions "extreme nationalism and racism", remarks that clearly aimed at the American president.

Trump was not in the room to hear Rouhani, instead helping to arrange a friendly luncheon with other leaders where he observed that during his first appearance at the United Nations last year, "c & rsquo; Was a little foreign territory, Nations. But now it's like home.

Referring to the bloody civil war in Syria during his speech, Trump accused the "corrupt dictatorship in Iran" of fueling the conflict with money and support from Bashar al-Assad's government.

"They are sowing chaos, death and destruction," said Trump. "The United States is conducting a campaign of economic pressure to deny the regime the funds needed to advance their bloody agenda."

On Venezuela, Trump denounced the socialist government of President Nicolás Maduro, whose oppressive leadership led to the collapse of the national economy and a massive human rights crisis as hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans fled the country. country.

Trump announced new US sanctions on Maduro and his entourage.

"Virtually everywhere socialism and communism have been tried, this has led to corruption and degradation," said Trump. He called on the world to "resist socialism and the misery it brings to all".

A A Washington Post-ABC poll in July, just after Trump was widely criticized for his performance at a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, revealed that 47% of Americans thought Trump had weakened US leadership and that 30 % thought stronger.

On several occasions, Trump returned to the theme of sovereignty in his speech. He described his immigration and border policies as national security issues and said no one, including the United Nations, will dictate how the United States evaluates these decisions.

"We will not be governed by an international body that is not accountable to our own citizens," said Trump. He added that the only long-term solution to the migration crisis was "to help people build a better future in their own country – to bring their country back to life".