politico | Mr. Secretary General, Mr. President, world leaders, and distinguished
delegates: Welcome to New York. It is a profound honor to stand here in
my home city, as a representative of the American people, to address the
people of the world....
Strong, sovereign nations let diverse countries with different
values, different cultures, and different dreams not just coexist, but
work side by side on the basis of mutual respect.
Strong, sovereign nations let their people take ownership of the
future and control their own destiny. And strong, sovereign nations
allow individuals to flourish in the fullness of the life intended by
God.
In America, we do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone, but
rather to let it shine as an example for everyone to watch. This week
gives our country a special reason to take pride in that example. We are
celebrating the 230th anniversary of our beloved Constitution -- the
oldest constitution still in use in the world today.
This timeless document has been the foundation of peace, prosperity,
and freedom for the Americans and for countless millions around the
globe whose own countries have found inspiration in its respect for
human nature, human dignity, and the rule of law.
The greatest in the United States Constitution is its first three beautiful words. They are: “We the people.”
Generations of Americans have sacrificed to maintain the promise of
those words, the promise of our country, and of our great history. In
America, the people govern, the people rule, and the people are
sovereign. I was elected not to take power, but to give power to the
American people, where it belongs.
In foreign affairs, we are renewing this founding principle of
sovereignty. Our government's first duty is to its people, to our
citizens -- to serve their needs, to ensure their safety, to preserve
their rights, and to defend their values.
As President of the United States, I will always put America first,
just like you, as the leaders of your countries will always, and should
always, put your countries first. (Applause.)
All responsible leaders have an obligation to serve their own
citizens, and the nation-state remains the best vehicle for elevating
the human condition.
But making a better life for our people also requires us to work
together in close harmony and unity to create a more safe and peaceful
future for all people.
The United States will forever be a great friend to the world, and
especially to its allies. But we can no longer be taken advantage of, or
enter into a one-sided deal where the United States gets nothing in
return. As long as I hold this office, I will defend America’s interests
above all else.
But in fulfilling our obligations to our own nations, we also realize
that it’s in everyone’s interest to seek a future where all nations can
be sovereign, prosperous, and secure.
America does more than speak for the values expressed in the United
Nations Charter. Our citizens have paid the ultimate price to defend our
freedom and the freedom of many nations represented in this great hall.
America's devotion is measured on the battlefields where our young men
and women have fought and sacrificed alongside of our allies, from the
beaches of Europe to the deserts of the Middle East to the jungles of
Asia.
It is an eternal credit to the American character that even after we
and our allies emerged victorious from the bloodiest war in history, we
did not seek territorial expansion, or attempt to oppose and impose our
way of life on others. Instead, we helped build institutions such as
this one to defend the sovereignty, security, and prosperity for all.
