Catch up on the day's biggest business stories
Subscribe to Axios Closer for insights into the day’s business news and trends and why they matter
Stay on top of the latest market trends
Subscribe to Axios Markets for the latest market trends and economic insights. Sign up for free.
Sports news worthy of your time
Binge on the stats and stories that drive the sports world with Axios Sports. Sign up for free.
Tech news worthy of your time
Get our smart take on technology from the Valley and D.C. with Axios Login. Sign up for free.
Get the inside stories
Get an insider's guide to the new White House with Axios Sneak Peek. Sign up for free.
Communicate like Axios
Keep teams engaged and aligned with Axios-style communications crafted with Axios HQ.
Learn more
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Want a daily digest of the top Denver news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Want a daily digest of the top Des Moines news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Want a daily digest of the top Twin Cities news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Want a daily digest of the top Tampa Bay news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Want a daily digest of the top Charlotte news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
Sign up for Axios NW Arkansas
Stay up-to-date on the most important and interesting stories affecting NW Arkansas, authored by local reporters
Photo: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images
President Trump used his address before the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday to denounce "globalists" and "socialists" while taking aim at China, Iran and Venezuela.
Between the lines: The shock factor has mostly worn off — including for the president himself, who was expressionless and spoke in monotone for most of the speech — but Trump's decision to once again use the world’s biggest diplomatic gathering to promote nationalism is notable. So, too, was Trump’s hawkish tone on China.
- On China: Trump insisted the U.S. was prepared for a long trade war if necessary and warned that Beijing’s response to the Hong Kong protests "will say a great deal about its role in the world in the future."
- On Iran: Trump said the U.S. wouldn't loosen sanctions, something Tehran has demanded in exchange for talks, unless Iran changes its behavior. He also said, "No nation should subsidize Iran's bloodlust."
- On Venezuela: Trump railed against the Nicolás Maduro regime and its Cuban backers before pivoting to U.S. domestic politics. He warned against the rise of socialism, which he called "the wrecker of nations and the destroyer of societies."
- On nationalism: "The future does not belong to globalists, the future belongs to patriots," Trump said, before repeatedly encouraging other leaders to embrace nationalism.
- Worth noting: Trump also said his administration was working to end the criminalization of homosexuality in other countries, and to empower women. He also made some base-friendly remarks on abortion and guns.
My thought bubble: The UN isn't Trump's favorite venue, and this certainly wasn't his most surprising or captivating speech.