Trump Boasts "Ended 7 Wars," While Lula Slams "Anti-Democratic Forces" (Comprehensive Report 2)

Trump: "The UN Fails to Fulfill Its Role, So I Step In"
Highlights Achievements in Trade, Borders, and Climate
Reaffirms Commitment to 'America First'
Erdogan: "Gaza, a Site of Israel's Mass Extermination"
Emphasizes Solidarity with Africa, Asia, and Latin America

On September 23 (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump strongly criticized the United Nations, claiming that he ended seven wars around the world during his second term in office. He emphasized the need for reform, arguing that the UN, despite its enormous potential, fails to fulfill its role due to incompetence and corruption. At the same time, he promoted his achievements in trade and border policies, expressing his intention to lead a world order centered on 'America First.'

In contrast, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey highlighted the founding spirit of the United Nations, delivering a message that stood in stark contrast to President Trump. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva criticized the Trump administration, stating, "Anti-democratic forces around the world are suppressing institutions and stifling freedom."

AFP Yonhap News

President Trump, in his keynote address at the high-level session of the United Nations General Assembly held at the UN headquarters in New York, asserted, "I ended seven wars within seven months of taking office."

He took the podium after Brazilian President Lula, who was the first world leader to speak. This speech marked his first address to the UN General Assembly since the start of his second term and lasted about an hour.

President Trump explained that he contributed to resolving conflicts between Cambodia and Thailand, Kosovo and Serbia, Congo and Rwanda, Pakistan and India, Israel and Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia, and Armenia and Azerbaijan. He then pointed out, "I did not receive a single phone call from the United Nations," adding, "It is truly regrettable that I have to do such things instead of the UN fulfilling its role."

He also joked, "All I received from the United Nations was a terrible escalator and a broken teleprompter," referring to his experience earlier that morning when the escalator stopped and the teleprompter malfunctioned as he entered the assembly hall. Although said in jest, his remarks were interpreted as a pointed criticism of the UN's incompetence. He reiterated, "The United Nations has tremendous potential, but it is failing to realize it."

President Trump once again expressed his desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize, stating, "Everyone says I deserve the Nobel Peace Prize. But the true prize is that millions of people are no longer sacrificed in endless and shameful wars."

His remarks came at a time when the UN system is being shaken by conflicts among major powers and the withdrawal of U.S. support. On the diplomatic stage, which symbolizes international cooperation, he launched a direct and fierce attack on the UN.

However, he devoted much of his speech to promoting his own policies on controversial issues such as trade, borders, and climate. He reaffirmed his commitment to the 'America First' agenda ahead of next year's midterm elections.

Regarding trade policy, he said, "The United States wants active trade and commercial exchanges with all countries, but they must be fair and reciprocal," adding, "The factories of countries that followed the rules have all been plundered," thereby justifying tariffs as an inevitable measure. He cited successful trade negotiations with the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, and South Korea as examples.

He also criticized the climate change crisis as "the greatest hoax," and argued, "Total green means total bankruptcy," emphasizing the need for an energy policy centered on fossil fuels.

He reiterated his determination to crack down on illegal immigration. He declared, "If you enter the United States illegally, you will go to jail and eventually be sent back to your home country," adding, "We reject the countless people from abroad who trample our borders, violate our sovereignty, commit endless crimes, and deplete our social safety net. Once again, I declare that America belongs to the American people."

Meanwhile, unlike his first-term UN General Assembly speeches, President Trump did not mention North Korea at all in his address. From 2017 to 2020, he delivered four consecutive speeches at the UN General Assembly, mentioning North Korea on three occasions. The fact that he did not mention North Korea this time is interpreted as a cautious stance at a sensitive moment when the possibility of resuming dialogue between North Korea and the United States is being discussed.

EPA Yonhap News

Immediately following President Trump's speech, President Erdogan took the podium at the UN General Assembly and strongly condemned Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip, pointing out that Palestinians are suffering unprecedented pain that could be called "a campaign of mass extermination."

President Erdogan stated, "The Gaza Strip is not a battlefield; it is a place where, on one side, there is an army, and on the other, innocent civilians are being massacred." He emphasized, "Israel is carrying out a policy of mass extermination, and humanity has not witnessed such brutality in the past 100 years."

At the end of his speech, President Erdogan reiterated the slogans "A fairer world is possible" and "The world is bigger than five," calling for UN reform. He emphasized solidarity with Africa, Asia, and Latin America, urging a return to the founding spirit of the United Nations. This message stood in stark contrast to President Trump's speech, which denied the very existence of the UN and criticized alliances and multilateralism.

Shinhwa Yonhap News

Just before President Trump, President Lula took the microphone and targeted the Trump administration. He said, "Unilateral actions by power institutions and the economy, and attacks on the independence of the judiciary supported by far-right forces, cannot be tolerated."

This statement came just one day after the United States placed the wife of Alexandre de Moraes, a Brazilian Supreme Court justice, on its sanctions list. Justice Moraes is a key figure presiding over the trial of the coup attempt by former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is known to be close to President Trump.

President Lula, referring to the coup attempt by the previous Brazilian president, stated, "Our democracy and sovereignty are not negotiable and cannot be compromised." This is interpreted as a criticism of Trump's interference in Brazil's internal affairs.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.