mobanmarketNEW YORK, NY — World leaders had a laugh at President Donald Trump’s expense Tuesday when he told delegates at the United Nations General Assembly that his administration “has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country,” As laughter rippled, Trump said, “Didn’t expect that reaction, but that’s OK.”
Trump highlighted U.S. gains under his watch, saying the American economy is “booming like never before.”
Trump says the U.S. is a “stronger, safer and richer country” than when he took office in January 2017. He says “we are standing up for America and for the American people, and we are also standing up for the world.”
Trump says he won’t meet with Iran’s leadership “until they change their tune.”
Questioned as he arrived at United Nations headquarters Tuesday, Trump said Iran has acted “very badly.” He says the U.S. is doing “many things” right now with respect to Iran, including sanctions.
Trump earlier this year withdrew the U.S. from a nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers and reinstated economic sanctions
Trump says he looks forward to having a “great relationship” with Iran but “Iran has to change its tune.”
While Trump spoke in sour terms about current relations with Iran, he spoke glowingly of his budding friendship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Trump and Kim met in June in Singapore. Trump says, “We’re doing very well with North Korea.”
Trump was tardy for his once-a-year speech before the General Assembly, which forced organizers to change the order of speakers. Trump was supposed to be the first speaker of the morning, after Brazilian President Michel Temer.
Watch Live: President Trump To Speak At UN Tuesday
Instead, Temer’s speech was followed by an awkward pause, as U.N. officials prepared the podium to accommodate the No. 3 speaker, Ecuador’s President Lenin Moreno, who is in a wheelchair.
Trump’s motorcade arrived during Moreno’s speech at the U.N. headquarters in New York.
The White House did not immediately explain why Trump was running late. Trump’s America-first policies and criticism of allies has clashed with the multilateral spirit of the U.N. General Assembly.
This year, 133 world leaders have signed up to attend the General Assembly session, up from 114 leaders last year.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
Photo: President Donald Trump addresses members of the news media as he arrives with Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the UN, during the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, at U.N. headquarters, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)