This resource tracked statements, developments, visits, and other interactions in US-Indo-Pacific relations under the President Trump administration. Special focus was given to the comments and activities of President Donald J. Trump; Vice President Mike Pence; United States Trade Representative Ambassador Robert E. Lighthizer; Secretary of State Mike Pompeo; Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, Jr.; former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson; former Secretary of Defense James Mattis; and former Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark Esper.
The Trump Administration & US - Indo-Pacific Relations
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Remarks by Secretary Ross at the 2020 Meeting of the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons Virtual Meeting - China
"My thanks to the Advisory Councils and all of our federal agencies for your hard work and contributions to ending modern slavery. My Department stands together with you in full support of this important effort. And we are deploying our authorities and resources to rid our supply chains around the globe of these anathemas.
Notably, the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry Security (BIS) has imposed export controls on entities demonstrating consistent abuses to human rights or whose surveillance technologies are enabling such activities. Since October…
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On the Passing of Former Marshallese President Litokwa Tomeing
"On behalf of the Government of the United States, I want to convey my deepest condolences to the family of former President Litokwa Tomeing and to the people of the Marshall Islands on his passing.
President Tomeing was a seminal figure in the founding institutions of his nation, including his role in the Marshall Islands Constitutional Convention. The Republic of the Marshall Islands was blessed by his vibrant political career in local and national governments. Perhaps one of his greatest legacies is the part he…
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Meeting of the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons - China
"Finally, the Department will continue to strongly condemn the Chinese Communist Party’s egregious practice of forced labor, among other human rights abuses, as part of its campaign of repression against Uyghurs and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups in the Xinjiang, and throughout China. In response, the United States has leveled visa restrictions on PRC government and Chinese Communist Party officials believed to be responsible for such horrific human rights abuses, built coalitions through platforms like the United Nations General Assembly, and issued…
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The United States Imposes Sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong Persons for Activities Related to Supporting the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines
"The international community has long recognized that the Iranian regime uses the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) to transport proliferation-sensitive items intended for Iran’s ballistic missile and military programs. A provision of UN Security Council Resolution 1929 mandates vigilance when doing business with IRISL and entities owned or controlled by IRISL under certain circumstances. This provision is now in effect due to the snapback of UN sanctions.
Today, the United States is sanctioning six entities and two individuals for conduct related to IRISL…
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Joint Statement Regarding Secretary Esper's Meeting With Indonesian Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto
"Today, Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper met with Indonesian Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto at the Pentagon to discuss regional security, bilateral defense priorities, and defense acquisitions. Secretary Esper communicated the importance of upholding human rights, the rule of law, and professionalization as the two countries expand their engagement. Minister Subianto expressed the importance of military engagement at all levels, and communicated his appreciation for the United States' support for Indonesia’s defense modernization. Both leaders shared their desire to enhance bilateral military-to-military activities…
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Secretary Pompeo With Bud Hedinger of Good Morning Orlando on WFLA Orlando - China
"QUESTION: Live with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. We only have a couple of minutes together. I’m glad you brought it up here, because I know you wanted to come on and sound the alarm about the danger of China’s Confucius Institutes set up on American college campuses, allegedly to teach Chinese language and culture. But you see a dark side to this, don’t you, sir?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Bud, the cover story is that they’re coming here for cultural goodwill and to teach Mandarin. The…
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On the Passing of Former Palau President Kuniwo Nakamura
"On behalf of the Government of the United States, I want to convey my deepest condolences to the family of former President Kuniwo Nakamura and the people of Palau on his passing. President Nakamura was a great statesman who guided Palau’s independence and fostered the emergence of our close and enduring relationship of free association.
Together, our two countries honor his memory and legacy through our commitment to shared values. As President Nakamura told the UN General Assembly, Palau is “large in things that count”…
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Secretary Pompeo With Erick Erickson of The Erick Erickson Show on WSB Atlanta - China
"QUESTION: I’m great. I’m glad you could stop by this morning, because I was thinking every conversation I’ve had with the President or Vice President the last couple of months has involved conversations on China. And now with Apple rolling out its new iPhone next week in 5G, it just seems like we’re seeing American tech companies and even institutions in this country, like through Confucius Institutes, more and more entangled with China, and would love to pick your brain on that topic.
SECRETARY POMPEO…
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Secretary Pompeo With Jayme West and Jim Sharpe of Arizona Morning News on KTAR Phoenix - China
"QUESTION: We are joined by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Arizona’s morning news, and speaking of the President, we have heard him talk a lot about how China is going to pay for unleashing this virus. Any idea how he is going to make China pay and when that would happen?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Absolutely. I don’t want to get out in front of decisions he’s going to make, but I would argue that the Chinese Communist Party is already paying dearly for it. You…
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Secretary Pompeo With Paul W. Smith of The Paul W. Smith Show on WJR Detroit - China
"QUESTION: You’re in the heart of the automotive industry, and a lot of things have been done in China, and have been – we’ve depended on China for buying a lot of our product over the last several years. What about travel to China?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So the Chinese Communist Party presents a very unique challenge for the United States of America. This is a nation that under the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping desires frankly to destroy our way of life, the very…
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Secretary Pompeo With Tony Katz of The Morning News on WIBC Indianapolis - China
"QUESTION: Tony Katz. So great to be with you. We have talked often about China’s influence in the United States and how China tries to work (inaudible) on college campuses, where you’re not able to speak out against China. One of the ways they do this is with Confucius Institutes. We’ve had these conversations with Congressman Jim Banks of the Indiana Third. Before, we’ve seen Confucius Institutes removed from college campuses. Chuck Grassley, senator from Iowa, referring to Confucius Institutes as fronts for Chinese propaganda.
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