US President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend a busy day of meetings with leaders from four continents at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday. His agenda includes a speech to assembled delegates, followed by bilateral and group meetings with at least 11 world leaders. The meetings come against a backdrop of rising tensions in the Middle East and ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Trump's speech to the UN General Assembly is highly anticipated, particularly after his combative speech last year. In that speech, he criticized several countries, citing their climate policies and mass migration issues. The contents of his current speech remain unknown. On his meeting schedule are British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and representatives from several Gulf states.
The list of leaders Trump is set to meet includes Venezuelan interim leader Juan Guaidó, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen. In the evening, he will attend a leaders' reception, where he may meet dozens more leaders briefly. On Monday, Trump met with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The numerous meetings reflect Trump's focus on foreign affairs during his second term. His foreign policy has been marked by multiple conflicts, questioned alliances, and attempts to broker peace in several conflicts. The ongoing US-Israeli tensions with Iran have significantly impacted global fuel prices and presented challenges for Republicans in the midterm elections.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showed Trump's approval rating at an all-time low of 32%. His handling of the economy has soured his fellow Republicans. One of the closely watched meetings is a seven-way gathering with Gulf leaders, who are concerned about the advances of Houthi militants in Yemen.
The meeting with Venezuelan interim leader Juan Guaidó is also being closely watched. Guaidó rose to power with the Trump administration's support after US forces took President Nicolas Maduro to New York to face drug trafficking charges. Trump's administration is working with Guaidó to open Venezuela's oil sector to US investment.
During his meeting with Danish and Greenland leaders, Trump will sign an accord to increase the US military presence on the island while limiting that of geopolitical adversaries. The accord aims to put an end to Trump's past comments suggesting he might take Greenland by force.
Key points
- Trump's meetings at the UN General Assembly will cover several pressing global issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and rising tensions in the Middle East.
- The US president's approval ratings have hit an all-time low, amid criticism of his handling of the economy and foreign policy.
- The meetings with Gulf leaders and Venezuelan interim leader Juan Guaidó are being closely watched, given their implications for regional stability and US investment.
