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Global leaders gathered in New York this week for the opening of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, with discussions focused on climate change, armed conflicts, human rights, and the rapid rise of new technologies.

In his address to UNGA, U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed climate change as a "con job." He vowed to expand oil drilling at home, accused scientists of misleading the public, and said Europe was bankrupting itself by embracing clean energy. "It's a scam, and I will not let the American people pay for it," he said.

Trump further accused China and India of "funding Russia's war in Ukraine" through continued oil imports and warned of a "very strong round of powerful tariffs" unless Moscow agreed to a peace deal. His remarks left the U.S. isolated on climate policy and at odds with many of its allies. And while he hasn't yet moved forward on the sweeping tariffs he mentioned in his address, Trump has already announced a new round of tariffs on the Chinese furniture industry, set to take effect October 1st.

Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged new climate goals in a video message to the U.N. climate leaders' summit. Xi announced that China will cut its greenhouse-gas emissions by 7-10 percent from their peak level by 2035, the first time Beijing has committed to an absolute reduction rather than limiting growth or intensity. China's announcement drew a mixed response, with European officials and climate experts acknowledging the symbolic importance of an absolute target, but concerns that the cuts are modest compared to what is needed.

This week, China also signaled a broader economic shift by forgoing its developing-country status under the World Trade Organization, a long-standing U.S. demand. Premier Li Qiang announced that Beijing will no longer request the special privileges reserved for developing countries in future WTO negotiations, though it still self-identifies as developing. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala called the move a "pivotal moment" for global trade reform.

Learn more on international relations by catching up on our latest Focus content, including topics on China's Global Governance Initiative, U.S.-Russia relations, and Washington's approach to diplomacy.