NEW YORK: US President Donald Trump delivered a speech at the UN General Assembly today that was a combination of both advice and criticism. He not only targeted Western policies but also put his nationalist thinking before the world once again.
Trump has taken a tough stance on the environmental issue from the beginning. He called green energy and environmental policies “the biggest fraud” and said that these measures are a plan against the economy, not science. According to him, Western countries are burdening their own economies.
The topic of immigration was also an important part of his speech. Trump said that the policy of open borders is dangerous for Western societies and that countries must close their borders. He accused the UN of encouraging policies that undermine national sovereignty.
Trump’s attitude towards the UN was contradictory. On the one hand, he called the institution a failure, on the other hand, he acknowledged that US involvement in resolving global conflicts is still necessary.
On the issue of a Palestinian state, Trump said that its recognition would be tantamount to rewarding Hamas, and the international community should pressure for the immediate release of the hostages.
Trump’s speech is actually a continuation of his “America First” policy, in which doubts about sovereignty, border security, economic interests and global institutions are prominent. The question is whether this tough message will affect European countries and the rest of the world or create further distance?
