At U.N. General Assembly, Trump Urges Nations to Place Their Citizens First, Rejects ‘Globalists’ - President cites his efforts to talk to anyone, including the leaders of North Korea, Iran and other nations that have long been at odds with the U.S....In his third address to the United Nations General Assembly, President Trump encouraged other nations to prioritize their citizens, highlighted unfair trade practices and discussed economic sanctions with Iran.

President Trump called on other countries to respect American sovereignty and recognize the right of the U.S. to protect itself from threats ranging from challenges to its safety and security to unfair trade practices by China and others.

In an address Tuesday at the United Nations, Mr. Trump articulated the America First outlook that he has used to define his presidency, urging other countries to place priority on their own citizens to ensure global peace and prosperity.

“The future does not belong to globalists,” he said. “The future belongs to patriots.”

Mr. Trump endorsed free and fair trade even as he defended his hawkish use of tariffs as a way to get countries around the world— including some close allies—to comply with his demands.

He assured the U.N. General Assembly meeting that the use of force was his last resort and pointed to efforts to engage with countries such as North Korea and Iran that have long been at odds with the U.S.

“Many of America’s greatest friends today were once its greatest foes,” he said. “The United States does not seek conflict with any other nation. We desire peace, cooperation, and mutual gain with all. But I will never fail to defend America’s interests.”

Mr. Trump’s speech came as he confronts a series of foreign-policy challenges, including a thorny trade dispute with China and an escalating dispute with Iran.

A longtime critic of global alliances, Mr. Trump at the U.N. this year is seeking to cobble together a new global coalition of countries to negotiate a new agreement with Iran that goes beyond nuclear matters.

He has avoided intervening with military action following an attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil industry earlier this month. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iran for that attack. France, Germany and the U.K. on Monday joined the U.S. in blaming Iran.