*Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2017 *

**Remarks at a Luncheon Hosted by Secretary-General António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres of the United Nations in New York City **

*September 19, 2017 *

Well, thank you very much, Mr. Secretary-General. I have to say that, as someone born in New York and raised in New York, it is a great honor to have the United Nations in New York, and always has been.

For years I've been a critic, but I've also been somebody that said that the United Nations has tremendous potential. And under your leadership—and I've seen what you've done and working with Nikki Haley and all of her friends. She's made so many friends here, and Rex Tillerson, likewise, has become, really a fixture here. We're working very hard to solve world problems.

But there is no better forum; there can be no better forum. And certainly, there can be no better location where everybody comes together. So, I want to congratulate you. The word is "potential." The potential of the United States, in terms of what it's done has been wonderful. But we can do better, and we're going to.

The potential of the United Nations is unlimited, and I really believe—I've met your representatives, and I know you well. You are going to do things that will be epic, and I certainly hope you will. But I feel very, very confident.

So I just want to toast everybody in the room. And let's give this, as a toast, to the potential—the great, great potential of the United Nations. Thank you all for being here. Thank you very much.

[*At this point, the President offered a toast.*]

NOTE: The President spoke at 1:33 p.m. in the Delegate Lounge at United Nations Headquarters. In his remarks, he referred to U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Nikki R. Haley; and Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson.

*Categories:* Meetings With Foreign Leaders and International Officials : United Nations, Secretary-General Guterres*.*

*Locations: *New York City.

*Names:* Guterres, António Manuel de Oliveira; Haley, Nikki R.; Tillerson, Rex W.

*Subjects:* State, Department of : Secretary; United Nations : Secretary-General; United Nations : U.S. Permanent Representative.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD201700659.