UNGA: China's Li Qiang blames tariff hikes for 'global economic doldrum'

The Premier of the State Council of China Li Qiang speaking on behalf of President Xi Jinping, has blamed tariff hikes for the global economic slow down, urging greater cooperation among nations to remedy the situation.

In his address at the ongoing General Assembly, Li said, "amid sluggish global growth, we must reinvigorate cooperation and pursue win-win results.

Although he didn't mention President Trump by name, Li's statement is in response to recent tariff hikes unleased by the Trump administration on China and other U.S. trade partners, straining world economies and diplomatic ties.

He also reiterated China's commitment to green and low carbon development by establishing the world's largest and fastest growing renewable energy system and the most extensive and complete new energy industral chain.

“We should adhere to the principles of people-centred development, technology for good, along with enhanced international collaboration on the green economy,” he said.

China also pledged to take more proactive actions and work with all parties to advance global governance in relevant areas. 

Li had earlier said that  “China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting the political settlement of hotspot issues.” possibly in reference to U.S. actions in the South China sea.

PAKISTAN

Pakistan's Shehbaz Sharif calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza citing the story of young Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl who died as her family fled Gaza.

The Prime Minister asked people to imagine if little Hind was their daughter and condemned the actions of Israel.

Pakistan firmly supports the demands of the Palestinian people for the establishment of  a sovereign Palestinian state and pre 1967 border. 

He said that Palestine must be liberated from Israeli control saying that Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize Palestine in 1988.

He thanked other countries who have recently recognized the states and urged other countries whi haven't done so to do the same.

Speaking on climate change, Shehbaz said, “In 2022 Pakistan faced massive floods of humongous proportions that caused huge losses, amounting to $34 billion and many valuable lives lost.

Thousands of villages washed away from the face of the earth, millions of people displaced, more than 1,000 killed and billions of dollars of crop, livestock and property washed away”. he said.

Pakistan contributes less than 1% of global emmissions annually yet it continues to face the relentless brunt and muddy waves of climate change.

He also called it unfair that Pakistan was expected to obtain loans to increase its national debt saying that it would be better off not borrowing loans.

ISRAEL

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently addressing the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York after dozens walked out as he was about to start speaking.

Netanyahu continued his speech, being heckled by some members in the audience and started with a detail of his countries recent strikes against the Houthis, Iran and in Gaza. 

He addressed the hotsgaes who were still being held by captors saying, "We have not forgotten you, not even for a second, the people of Israel are always with you will not falter or rest until we bring all of you home"

He also sent a message to Hamas leaders and other hostage takers, "Lay down your arms, let my people go free the hostages.

If you do, you will live, if you don't, Israel will hunt you down." he said.

"What we are doing in Gaza is wiping out the terror regime" saying that it was what any self respecting government would do. 

He accused some world leaders of caving into pressure from biased media and withdrawing support. 

The first reads: "Who shouts death to America?", with the answers reading: "a) Iran, b) Hamas, c) Hezbollah, d) Houthis, e) all the above".

Shouts could be heard in the hall, and Netanyahu ticks the option for "e) all of the above".

Netanyahu further says that President Trump "understands better than any other leader that Israel and America face a common threat".

He adds that in the wake of the 7 October attack, many leaders supported Israel, but that support has since "evaporated".

"As we fight the terrorists who murder many of your citizens, you are fighting us. You condemn us, you wage political and legal warfare against us.

This is not an indictment of Israel, it is an indictment of you" he said. 

Responding to accusations of a man made famine in Gaza, he said that Israel provides one ton of aid per day in the strip.

"If any Gazan doesn't have enough food, it is because Hamas steals the food and sells it back to civillians at exorbitant prices to fund their war machine." 

Netanyahu reacted to the decision of countries recognise a Palestinian state, calling it "national suicide" for Israel.

It's "sheer madness, it's insane and we won't do it", the Israeli PM says.

He then thanks his listeners and ends his speech to applause and standing ovation from some audience members and the Israeli delegation. 

State of Palestine appear to be among countries that staged a walk out during Netanyahu's speech. 

Video footage from UN feeds pans over to shows its empty seats during Netanyahu's speech. 

Mahmoud Abbas leader of Palestine had said in his speech to the Assembly that he was ready to work with President Trump and other relevant bodies to implement a peace deal. 

He also said “Palestine is ours. Jerusalem is the jewel of our heart and our eternal capital,” he said. “We will not leave our homeland.”

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