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As it happenedended

Trump UN speech - President laughed at by world leaders as he boasts of achievements amid condemnation of Iran

First appearance before intergovernmental organisation after Washington cut refugee aid funding

Mythili Sampathkumar
New York
,Harriet Agerholm
Tuesday 25 September 2018 21:24 BST
Comments
UN General Assembly laughs as Donald Trump touts his achievements

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Donald Trump has asserted American sovereignty - rejecting “global governance, control and domination” - in an address to the UN General Assembly.

Mr Trump said the United States will never tell other nations how to live, work or worship. But the president added the United States expects other nations to “honour America's sovereignty in return.”

The president arrived late, forcing a last-minute scheduling switch, then received polite applause but also blank stares as he took his blustery brand of “America First” policies to the annual General Assembly.

Donald Trump says US wants UN to ‘respect its sovereignty’

Speaking in triumphal terms, Mr Trump approached the address as an annual report to the world on his country's progress since his inauguration. He crowed that in “less than two years, my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country.”

Rather than applaud or indicate they were impressed, the audience began to chuckle and some broke into outright laughter. Mr Trump appeared briefly flustered before joking that it was not the reaction he expected but “that's all right.”

The moment only reinforced Mr Trump's isolation among allies and foes alike, as his nationalistic policies have created rifts with erstwhile partners and cast doubt in some circles about the reliability of American commitments around the world.

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"You see horizontally and below you...barriers to leave...to sum it up: exclusion," Mr Moreno said about what he "sees" because he uses a wheelchair, a result of an assault when he was younger. 

Mr Moreno and Ecuador have been advocates for disability rights around the world. 

Mythili Sampathkumar25 September 2018 15:26

On a lighter note, there is no shortage of diplomatic humour this week in New York. 

Mythili Sampathkumar25 September 2018 15:29

Usually, we in the media get a draft copy of the president's speech just ahead of delivery to facilitate properly quoting the remarks and to do our reporting and analysis with experts. The White House has said there will be no advanced copy of today's speech, perhaps because of last minute changes. Stephen Miller, the president's go-to speechwriter was spotted outside of Trump Tower just before the president began his trip across town to the UN. Once we get the full transcript, we'll share it with you here - but until then follow our updates closely!

Mythili Sampathkumar25 September 2018 15:33

An Mr Trump begins his speech.

Mythili Sampathkumar25 September 2018 15:39

Laughter breaks out at the General Assembly after Mr Trump begins his speech talking about how much his administration has accomplished. 

Are they laughing at him or with him? 

"I didn't expect that reaction, but that's OK," in the unexpected moment of levity.

Mythili Sampathkumar25 September 2018 15:41

Mr Trump said "we believe when nations respect the rights of their neighbors...they can better work together" for peace and security. 

He starts his speech with a much more sober tone than last year's speech. 

"America will always pursue" sovereignty over "global governance," he said. 

"The US will not tell you how" to govern your countries, we expect the same, Mr Trump noted. As expected, his push for sovereignty is clear and up front. 

Mythili Sampathkumar25 September 2018 15:43

Mr Trump takes on the 12 June Singapore summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un

Mr Trump touts "the steps" Mr Kim has taken towards denuclearisation on the peninsula, adding that sanctions on Pyongyang will last until full halting of its nuclear weapons programme occurs. 

Mythili Sampathkumar25 September 2018 15:45

Mr Trump calls Yemen's civil war "horrible, horrific" but critics - and even the UN's own World Food Programme - have pointed out his continued support of Saudi Arabia may not helping the many starving children in the country, cut off from aid.

Mythili Sampathkumar25 September 2018 15:47

Watch Mr Trump's speech along with us here. We will have some expert analysis soon as well. 

Mythili Sampathkumar25 September 2018 15:50

He then launched into the "bloody agenda" of Iran's leaders. 

Additional sanctions will resume 5 November and "more will follow," Mr Trump said about "the world's leading sponsor of terrorism". 

"We ask all nations to isolate Iran's regime...and support Iran's people as they struggle to reclaim their religious and righteous destiny," he said. 

Mythili Sampathkumar25 September 2018 15:52

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