Stories and subplots aplenty are expected at the UN General Assembly, new tariffs are due to be imposed in the US-China trade conflict, more Brexit drama is expected as the British prime minister faces another big test, and the story that has dominated US media – allegations of sexual assault against a Supreme Court nominee – will come to a head.
US-Iran in focus
US President Donald Trump will take center stage at the UN General Assembly, with Iran expected to be in his sights when he addresses the general debate on Tuesday and again when he chairs the UN Security Council for the first time on Wednesday. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is also scheduled to speak on the opening day, and will give a press conference on Wednesday. Trump is likely to call for support for his "maximum pressure" Iran policy, risking further isolation given that China, Russia, Britain and France – the other permanent Security Council members – are working to keep the Iran nuclear deal viable. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the General Assembly, with a focus on China's resolution to maintain multilateralism expected.
Moon seeks momentum
Republic of Korea (ROK) President Moon Jae-in will also be in New York for the UN General Assembly, where he is expected to deliver Trump a message from Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong Un. After the progress made at the Moon-Kim summit in Pyongyang last week, Seoul is hoping to push the US and the DPRK back to talks. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is due to hold a special meeting on the DPRK situation on Thursday, and his schedule will be closely watched for possible sideline talks with DPRK Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho.
Trade tariffs bite
Chinese products worth 200 billion US dollars are due to become subject to tariffs from 12:00 a.m. Washington time on Monday, and Beijing is set to retaliate with additional tariffs on US products worth 60 billion dollars. Whether negotiations over a solution will resume will be closely watched, particularly after the US imposed sanctions on China's military. New proposals for reform of the WTO will also be made this week, with EU and Japanese trade ministers due for talks with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.
Brexit fallout
After last week's setback in Salzburg, British Prime Minister Theresa May will look to make Brexit progress on the domestic front ahead of her Conservative Party's annual conference. She will be under pressure to outline what comes next, amid reports of a November snap election and leadership challenge. Hardline Brexiteers within May's party, including former foreign secretary Boris Johnson, will present an alternative plan on Monday while the opposition Labour Party will this week vote on whether to back a second referendum.
Court battle
The allegations of sexual assault against US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh dominated the political conversation in the US last week, overshadowing Trump's call to declassify documents related to the Russia investigation among other stories. Kavanaugh's accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, has agreed to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee – although a date has not yet been confirmed, she and Kavanaugh are expected to appear on Wednesday and Thursday in what is expected to be a dramatic or consequential hearing.
Day-by-day
Monday: A new round of US-China trade tariffs are scheduled to enter force, and the second round of US-Japan trade talks is due.
Tuesday: China will be represented by State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi as the United Nations General Assembly general debate begins in New York with US President Donald Trump, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan among the morning speakers. Trump is also due to hold talks with ROK President Moon Jae-in, while Russian President Vladimir Putin starts visits to Azerbaijan and Tajikistan.
Wednesday: The second day of UN General Assembly general debate starts with speakers including the leaders of war-torn Yemen and Afghanistan, on the sidelines Iran's Rouhani will host a press conference while Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are due to hold a summit, and Trump is to chair a high-level UN Security Council meeting on Iran and nuclear proliferation.
Thursday: China's Defense Ministry is expected to hold its monthly press conference, days after voicing "strong indignation and resolute opposition" against sanctions by the US on Chinese military authority and personnel, and US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford, who accuses Kavanaugh of sexual assault, may testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Friday: Turkish President Erdogan begins a state visit to Germany, a meeting of NATO's Military Committee takes place in Warsaw, and a South African parliamentary commission will issue recommendations as to whether the country should change its constitution to accelerate land reform.
Sunday: Macedonia will hold a referendum on officially changing its name, Britain's governing Conservative Party begins its annual conference with a fight over Brexit likely to dominate, and elections are scheduled in Iraqi Kurdistan.