Trump Criticizes Countries' Migration and Climate Policies in Scathing UN Speech
In a highly anticipated address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, President Donald Trump delivered a scathing critique of other countries' migration and climate policies on Tuesday. The remarks sparked gasps from the assembly floor as Trump questioned the effectiveness of international cooperation and accused the UN of failing to live up to its potential.
Trump's nearly hour-long speech touched on several contentious issues, including immigration and climate change. He claimed that the "failed experiment of open borders" had led to a surge in migration, which he argued was having a devastating impact on economies and societies worldwide. The US president also denied the existence of climate change, calling it the "greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world."
"The entire globalist concept, asking successful industries to pay for the less successful, doesn't work," Trump said, according to a transcript provided by the White House.
Trump's comments were met with skepticism and criticism from many delegates in attendance. The European Union's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, expressed disappointment at Trump's stance on climate change, saying it was "not acceptable" for a world leader to deny the scientific consensus on the issue.
"We need to work together to address this global challenge," Borrell said in a statement. "Climate change is not a partisan issue; it's a human rights issue."
The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, also expressed concern over Trump's remarks, saying that they were "inconsistent with the principles of multilateralism" and would undermine efforts to address global challenges.
Trump's speech was seen as a departure from his previous addresses to the UN, which had been more conciliatory in tone. The US president has long been critical of international institutions, including the UN, which he has accused of being ineffective and wasteful.
The reaction from other world leaders was mixed, with some expressing support for Trump's views on immigration and climate change while others condemned his comments as divisive and unhelpful.
In a statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that China would "continue to work with the international community" to address global challenges, including climate change. However, a spokesperson for the ministry also criticized Trump's remarks on immigration, saying they were "not in line with the spirit of multilateralism."
The speech marked Trump's first appearance at the UN since his second term began, and it was seen as an opportunity for him to outline his administration's priorities and goals for international cooperation.
As the General Assembly continues its session, world leaders will be watching closely to see how Trump's remarks play out in the coming days. The US president has promised to unveil a new initiative on climate change, which is expected to be met with skepticism by many countries.
The speech was also notable for Trump's claims that he had stopped "seven wars" since returning to the White House. However, it was unclear what specific conflicts he was referring to or how his administration had contributed to their resolution.
As the world grapples with growing global challenges, including climate change and migration, the UN is expected to play a key role in finding solutions. But Trump's scathing critique of international cooperation has raised questions about whether the US will continue to be a constructive partner in addressing these issues.
Background
The United Nations General Assembly is the main deliberative and representative organ of the UN, comprising representatives from all 193 member states. The assembly meets annually to discuss global challenges and adopt resolutions on key issues.
Climate change has been a major focus of international cooperation in recent years, with many countries committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to renewable energy sources. However, the US has been one of the few countries to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
Immigration has also become a contentious issue globally, with many countries struggling to manage large influxes of migrants and refugees. The UN has called for greater international cooperation on migration, but Trump's comments suggest that the US may be pulling back from this effort.
Next Developments
The General Assembly will continue its session in the coming days, with world leaders expected to address a range of global challenges, including climate change, migration, and sustainable development. The UN is also expected to adopt several key resolutions on these issues, which could have significant implications for international cooperation.
As the world watches, it remains to be seen how Trump's scathing critique of international cooperation will play out in the coming days and weeks. Will the US continue to be a constructive partner in addressing global challenges, or will its withdrawal from international institutions undermine efforts to find solutions? Only time will tell.
*Reporting by Bbc.*