Trump warns of US military action as Guterres makes final UN opening address
The US president told the General Assembly Washington would protect its interests in the Western Hemisphere, as the UN secretary-general called for action on global crises and institutional reform.
US President Donald Trump has told the United Nations General Assembly that the United States will use its military power, if necessary, to protect its vital national interests in the Western Hemisphere.
The remarks, contained in extracts released by the White House, came after Secretary-General António Guterres opened the high-level debate in New York for the final time before his second term ends on 31 December.
Guterres used the address to call on world leaders to act on wars, artificial intelligence and climate change, and to overhaul UN institutions he said were struggling to respond to mounting global challenges.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva criticised what he described as paralysis within the Security Council, saying the world was being held hostage by its inaction.
French President Emmanuel Macron was scheduled to address the General Assembly later in the session. The supplied material does not indicate that the assembly adopted measures on the issues raised by Guterres.
