Development
Trade, tariffs and sanctions at UNGA 81
Raised by 99 of 223 speakers. Read verbatim UN transcript quotes and select a time to hear the speech.
Speeches that raised trade, tariffs and sanctions
Cuba · Day 5Bruno Eduardo Rodríguez ParrillaThis is indispensable as we make it more democratic and effective and closer to its peoples.
As is well known, in Cuba we are facing a multidimensional aggression from the United States government, a permanent, abusive and ruthless hostility that has lasted for almost seven decades.
Since January 2026, this aggression has strengthened and become more cruel and more dangerous, with the imposition of an energy blockade that, by resorting to intimidation and coercion, prevents any country from exporting fuel to Cuba, an equivalent to a naval blockade, which is classified under international law as an act of war.
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Singapore · Day 5Vivian BalakrishnanMadam President, Excellencies, the second point is that we should and must reform existing institutions and processes where necessary.
In fact, free trade is another success story of the post-war multilateralism.
Lower trade costs in these decades have boosted global real GDP by an estimated 6.8% and, in the case of low-income countries, by around 33%.
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China · Day 5Han ZhengChina holds that the sovereignty and security of countries in the Middle East, including the Gulf, should be respected.
International industrial and supply chains should be kept stable and unimpeded, and global trade should be safeguarded.
China calls for advancing the governance of the West Bank and the post-conflict reconstruction of Gaza in accordance with the principle of the Palestinians governing Palestine.
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Lao People’s Democratic Republic · Day 5Thongsavanh PhomvihaneIn the same vein, the Lao PDR reiterates its principle position against unilateral, coercive measures.
The prolonged economic, commercial and financial embargo against the Republic of Cuba continue to inflict hardship on its people.
We call for the immediate and unconditional lifting of these sanctions, including logistic and energy blockades and removal of Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
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Belarus · Day 5Maxim RyzhenkovYugoslavia, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba, Iran, Palestine.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of the countries that have been or remain the focus of greedy Western interest.
Now let's add to that unfair global trade, where the rules are written to serve the interests of transnational corporations, and also illegal unilateral sanctions that are suffocating entire nations.
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Canada · Day 5Anita AnandWe are strengthening ties between Canada and Europe.
Alongside the European Union, we are building an alliance for the future.
Thanks to our strategy for Africa, we are boosting our trade links with our African partners.
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Micronesia (Federated States of) · Day 5Aren PalikMr. President, digital transformation and artificial intelligence offer significant opportunities to improve public service delivery, diversify economies, expand markets, access, and advance climate-resilient development.
As we are advancing digital connectivity, private sector development, and trade opportunities, without adequate investment, capacity building, and appropriate governance, these technologies may increase inequalities and further heighten exposure to cybersecurity threats, information, misinformation, and risk to data privacy.
We therefore call upon international community to strengthen resilience, resilient technical and digital infrastructure with ethical and effective cart rails and governance framework.
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Republic of Moldova · Day 5Vasile TofanFor Moldova, these are not competing directions.
The United States has been an important partner in strengthening our security, energy independence, and resilience.
We want the next chapter of that relationship to be increasingly about trade, investment, technology and building things together.
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Russian Federation · Day 5Sergey LavrovWe insist that the U.S. lift its siege on the island of freedom and lift all restrictions on trade with Cuba, striking it off the list of that vile list, list of state sponsors of terrorism.
This is a stark example which requires the attention of the international community, but there are many other issues as well.
The use of force and double standards espoused by the West are destabilizing the situation all over the map.
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Saudi Arabia · Day 5Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al SaudThese efforts support energy security, enhance resource efficiency, and contribute to achieving sustainability.
Mr. President, the In light of the rapid developments the world is witnessing in the field of regional and international trade, there is need for ensuring continuous trade influx, especially from the east to the west.
This will not only be in the support of the Kingdom, but the world at large.
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India · Day 5Subrahmanyam JaishankarAfter eight decades of the UN, This should have become our second nature.
Instead, what we are actually seeing is a weaponization of everything.
A mindset of extreme competition has set in, undermining institutions and establishing choke points.
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Germany · Day 5Johann WadephulA new nationalism would be a misguided path.
Whatever its prophets may preach, the truth is that it would make our lives narrower, poorer, and less secure.
Instead, global trade relations need to be diversified and deepened and the framework of a fair trading order.
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Gabon · Day 5Marie-Édith Tassyla-Ye-DoumbenenyMr. President, Gabon's vision is one of inclusive and reformed multilateralism that takes into account the aspirations of peoples, particularly women and young people.
It is within this framework that the fundamental right of every state to chart its own course must be guaranteed.
And, pursuant to this principle, Gabon here wishes to reaffirm its support for Cuba.
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Jamaica · Day 5Kamina Johnson SmithBut even more foundationally, security must create the space for political stability, democratic governance, and credible elections led and owned by the Haitian people.
Mr. President, the suffering of the Cuban people is of deep concern to Jamaica.
We encourage domestic reform and greater integration of Cuba into the international economic system.
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Sao Tome and Principe · Day 5Ilza Maria dos Santos Amado VazWe also follow with concern the persistence of the economic, commercial, and financial restrictions affecting Cuba.
and call for their lifting for the benefit of the development and well-being of the Cuban people, to whom we express our solidarity.
Excellencies, Sao Tome and Principe will remain faithful to the Charter of the United Nations, international law, peace, human rights, and multilateralism, standing as a voice of dialogue and moderation, and as a committed partner for stability in the Gulf of Guinea.
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Zambia · Day 5Mulambo Hamakuni HaimbeMister President, peace and stability provide the foundation for economic development.
Zambia is positioning itself as an attractive destination for investment and trade with opportunities in mining, critical minerals, agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, energy infrastructure, tourism, and digital services.
Our ambition is to move beyond the export of raw materials and primary commodities towards value addition, industrialization, job creation, and technology transfer as key enablers of our economic transformation agenda.
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Cameroon · Day 5Lejeune Mbella MbellaWe should also give new impetus to international trade, industrialization, and transforming raw materials locally as well as strengthening regional integration.
And it is this energy that guided the work of the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization, WTO, which Cameroon had the privilege of hosting from the 26th to the 29th of March 2026.
Cameroon also has the intention of contributing to the full expansion of the African Continental Free Trade Area, the acronym being AfCFTA.
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