In a fiery address to the United Nations General Assembly on September 25, 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a starkly nationalistic message, issuing blunt warnings to global leaders about immigration, climate change, and the efficacy of multilateralism. The speech, marked by sharp criticisms of established international norms and alliances, focused heavily on an “America First” agenda, asserting national sovereignty above all else.
Europe Warned: “Your Countries Are Going to Hell”
Trump’s most pointed remarks were directed at European nations, whose immigration policies he characterized as detrimental to their very fabric. He proclaimed that Western countries were “destroying their countries” and, in a particularly stark phrase, stated, “Your countries are going to hell”. He asserted that uncontrolled migration constituted an “assault” and an “invasion” on Western nations, urging leaders to implement stronger border controls and to prioritize patriotism over globalist ideologies. Trump argued that adherence to “so-called green renewable energy” and permissive immigration laws were “destroying a large part of the free world,” with European nations standing “on the brink of destruction” due to their “suicidal energy ideas”.
Climate Change Deemed “The Greatest Con Job”
Continuing his well-known skepticism, President Trump dismissed climate change as “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world”. He challenged the scientific consensus and criticized predictions made by international bodies, suggesting they were devised for “bad reasons” and had cost countries fortunes without yielding success. Trump advocated for increased reliance on traditional energy sources and rolled back environmental policies, framing efforts towards green energy as a detrimental “scam” that would lead to national failure.
Rejection of Globalism, Embrace of Patriotism
The core theme of Trump’s address was a strong rejection of globalism in favor of patriotism and national sovereignty. “America is governed by Americans,” he declared, embracing the doctrine of patriotism and urging responsible nations to “defend against threats to sovereignty not just from global governance, but also from other, new forms of coercion and domination”. He emphasized that each nation should “honor our sovereignty in return” for respecting their own. This stance stood in contrast to the prevailing sentiments expressed by many other world leaders at the assembly.
Pressure on Iran and Venezuela
Trump also used the platform to voice strong criticism of Iran’s leadership, labeling its leaders as corrupt and accusing them of sowing “chaos, death and destruction” while embezzling national wealth. He called for nations to “isolate Iran’s regime” and urged an increase in pressure, including cutting oil imports from the country. Simultaneously, he called for the restoration of democracy in Venezuela, criticizing the nation’s socialist policies and announcing new sanctions against officials linked to President Nicolas Maduro. The U.S. military had also recently undertaken deadly strikes against alleged drug-smuggling boats off Venezuela’s coast, a move that drew criticism from some nations.
Tariffs Threat Over Ukraine War
Regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Trump threatened to impose “a very strong round of powerful tariffs” on Russia if Moscow did not negotiate an end to the war. He also urged European allies to adopt similar measures, questioning why they were purchasing oil and gas from Russia while the conflict persisted. His rhetoric on Ukraine, in later contexts, saw him suggest NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft and express belief that Ukraine could regain all lost territory.
UN’s Ineffectiveness and Personal Grievances
President Trump castigated the United Nations itself as an ineffective institution, stating, “It has such tremendous potential, but it’s not even coming close to living up to that”. He lamented that UN actions often amounted to little more than “a really strongly worded letter” that solved nothing. He also included personal complaints, referencing a malfunctioning escalator and teleprompter he encountered at UN headquarters as emblematic of the body’s shortcomings.
A Different World Order
In his address, Trump presented a vision of the world where national interests and sovereignty were paramount. While his 2018 speech was met with laughter from fellow leaders, this later address was received in relative silence, signaling a shift in global diplomatic reception but underscoring the persistent “America First” policy framework. The news from the UN that day presented a stark departure from traditional calls for global cooperation, instead emphasizing a world order driven by nationalistic ambitions and a skepticism of international institutions, framing the global news in a distinctly American lens.