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Trump denounces globalism at UN

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New York: US President Donald Trump denounced “globalism” and hailed countries led by nationalist-populist leaders, including authoritarians, at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.


“We reject the ideology of globalism and we embrace the doctrine of patriotism,” Trump said. “The United States will always choose independence and cooperation over global governance, control and domination,” he added. “The US will not tell you how to live or work or worship... We only ask that you honour our sovereignty in return.” It was a core theme of a speech in which he attacked the International Criminal Court as “an unelected, unaccountable global bureaucracy” and said the body in The Hague “has no jurisdiction, no legitimacy and no authority.” He went on to say that peace, prosperity, freedom and democracy could only thrive within the confines of strong sovereign states with tough national borders.


“Let us choose a future of patriotism, prosperity and pride,” Trump said.


He insisted that refugees should remain close to home rather than being resettled further abroad, a call that dovetails with his administration’s decision to shrink refugee quotas for the US and tighten up on immigration, including by building a border wall.


In particular, he praised Jordan for hosting Syrian refugees so close to their homeland.


He also suggested that migrants should “build a more hopeful future in their own countries... Make their countries great again,” are reference to his own campaign slogan of “Make America Great Again.” In his speech, which lasted about 35 minutes, Trump hailed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and the monarchy in Saudi Arabia, along with other Gulf Arab nations. He also gave special nods to India, Israel and Poland, which all are led by nationalist-populists.


Donald Trump, whose political ascent has been full of firsts, on Tuesday achieved another rare feat — bringing laughter to the solemn UN General Assembly.


Delivering his address to the annual gathering of UN heads of state, Trump began in the hyperbolic style of a domestic campaign as he boasted of his record.


“In less than two years, my administration has achieved more than any administration in the history of our country,” Trump boasted, little more than a month before US congressional elections.


As assembled global dignitaries started to chuckle, Trump interrupted his prepared remarks and insisted, “So true.”


With the laughter audible, Trump smiled and said, “I didn’t expect that reaction, but that’s okay.”


He proceeded to tout low US unemployment before proceeding with the rest of his address, a hardline defence of the US right to act on its own without bowing to global rules.


Light moments are exceedingly unusual in the UN General Assembly, which follows a strict protocol where each world leader is escorted to the rostrum for an address on issues of


the day. — Agencies


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