At UN, Trump warns China over trade and Hong Kong

Trump asks Beijing to protect Hong Kong's 'democratic ways of life'.

US President Donald Trump looks at the crowd after speaking during the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN Headquarters in New York | AFP US President Donald Trump looks at the crowd after speaking during the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN Headquarters in New York | AFP

US President Donald Trump put China on notice at the United Nations Tuesday, declaring that the time of trade "abuses" by Beijing was "over" and calling on the country to protect Hong Kong's "democratic ways of life." 

"For years, these (trade) abuses were tolerated, ignored, or even encouraged," he told the UN General Assembly, arguing that "globalism" had caused world leaders to ignore their own national interests.

"But as far as America is concerned, those days are over," he said. The US president added that his administration was "carefully monitoring" the way China handles the crisis in Hong Kong.

"The world fully expects that the Chinese government will honor its binding treaty... (and) protect Hong Kong's freedom and legal system and democratic ways of life".