Despite Criticism, Trump Backs UN, 100 Percent

Despite Criticism, Trump Backs UN ‘100 Per Cent’

From Agency Reports

 

United States President Donald Trump yesterday reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the United Nations, declaring that Washington is “100 per cent behind” the global body despite his scathing criticism of its operations.

 

Trump spoke in New York at the start of a bilateral meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres shortly after delivering the U.S. national statement before world leaders at the UN General Assembly.

 

While addressing the Assembly, the American leader had lambasted the UN over its handling of global conflicts, irregular migration and climate change. But at his meeting with Guterres, he stressed that his criticisms were not aimed at undermining the organisation but at pushing it to realise its full potential.

 

“Our country is behind the United Nations one hundred per cent. I think the potential of the United Nations is incredible, really incredible. It can do so much,” Trump said.

 

The U.S. leader, who was making his fifth appearance at the General Assembly since assuming office, described his presence at the UN headquarters as an honour, even joking about a faulty escalator and teleprompter that disrupted his address.

 

Guterres, in his remarks, hailed the United States as an indispensable founding member and long-time supporter of the UN. He expressed appreciation for America’s political and financial backing, adding that Washington’s engagement was vital to global peace efforts.

 

“You have been going North and South, East and West, getting or trying to get ceasefires, alleviating tensions, making peace agreements or building blocks of peace agreements,” the UN chief said.

 

Guterres assured Trump of the UN’s readiness to work closely with his administration to pursue peace and ease human suffering across the world.