President Donald Trump used his address to the United Nations General Assembly to portray the United States as increasingly powerful economically, militarily and technologically. He highlighted American leadership in artificial intelligence, calling it “superintelligence”, and warned that the country must maintain its advantage over China. The speech also sought international support for isolating Iran, while signalling a tougher stance towards Cuba and emphasising an “America first” approach.

Trump said he expected Iran to reach a deal with Washington after the November midterm elections, and argued that US military action had prevented Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. He urged all countries to support complete economic isolation of Iran and praised a UN Security Council resolution condemning attacks on commercial shipping. Trump also cited a deal expanding the US military presence in Greenland, claimed the American economy was outperforming others, and said Cuba would undergo “fundamental change”; Cuban officials reportedly left the chamber after he described the country as a failed state.