U.S. President Donald Trump will address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Tuesday, amid growing questions about whether the United States is still willing to play a leadership role in global affairs.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has cut foreign aid, imposed tariffs on allies and rivals alike, and pursued warmer—though volatile—relations with Russia. His “America First” foreign policy has further distanced the U.S. from multilateral institutions, including several UN agencies.
Trump’s Second Term Priorities
The speech comes eight months into Trump’s second term, marked by sharp reductions in humanitarian aid and heightened concerns over the future of the UN. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has responded by launching reforms to cut costs and boost efficiency.
Planning documents reviewed by Reuters suggest Trump may also unveil plans to narrow asylum rights, seeking to undo much of the post-World War II framework. Proposed changes include forcing asylum-seekers to apply in the first safe country they reach, not a destination of their choosing.
Despite skepticism toward multilateralism, Trump has described the UN as having “great potential”—but insists the organization must “get its act together.”
Global Flashpoints on the Agenda
The General Assembly opens at 9 a.m. EDT (1300 GMT), with around 150 world leaders expected to speak. Trump will be the second speaker.
The meeting takes place as the Israel-Hamas war approaches its second anniversary. Dozens of leaders have voiced support for a Palestinian state, but Israel’s government has rejected the idea outright. Israel has faced international condemnation for its conduct in Gaza, where local health authorities report over 65,000 Palestinian deaths since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 Israelis.
Other major global crises, including the war in Ukraine, will also dominate discussions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov are both scheduled to address the chamber.
Trump’s Diplomatic Meetings
On the sidelines, Trump is set to hold bilateral talks with Zelenskyy and Argentina’s Javier Milei, as well as a multilateral meeting with leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, the UAE, and Jordan.
This will also mark Trump’s first formal meeting with Secretary-General Guterres since returning to the White House.
