The Trump Administration & US - Indo-Pacific Relations

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.

Methodology

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Press Availability With Secretary of Defense James Mattis, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne

"SECRETARY TILLERSON: Thank you, Julie, and good afternoon, everyone. And let me begin, of course, by thanking Foreign Minister Bishop and Defense Minister Payne for their hospitality and for hosting this session of AUSMIN. Minister Bishop was one of my first counterparts that I met with when she traveled to Washington, and that began a very, very productive dialogue that has continued certainly through today. Secretary Mattis and I obviously look forward to having dinner this evening with Prime Minister Turnbull, and we know we’re…

Opening Remarks by Secretary Mattis, Secretary Tillerson, Minister Bishop and Minister Payne at the 2017 AUSMIN Conference in Sydney, Australia

"SECRETARY OF STATE REX TILLERSON: Thank you so much Foreign Minister Bishop, Senator Payne, for hosting this year’s AUSMIN in a very beautiful surrounding and one which I think will really lend itself to the serious issues we have to discuss today.

As you know this relationship between the U.S. and Australia, which now approaches a century and really formalized in the treaty of 1951, but it’s really built around the most fundamental values, our commitment to freedom, democracy, rules based order for the…

Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Australian Prime Minister Turnbull

"Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met June 2 with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, a major annual forum for key leaders in the Asia-Pacific region, to discuss security challenges and opportunities. The Secretary and the Prime Minister exchanged views on a range of global security issues and both emphasized the importance of our continued close collaboration in addressing shared security challenges. The Secretary expressed his appreciation to the Prime Minister for hosting the upcoming Australia-United States…

Vice President Pence's Remarks at US Chamber of Commerce's Invest in America Summit - Indo-Pacific

"In fact, just last month I traveled to the Asia Pacific on the President’s behalf to promote our economic relationships with South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, and Australia. And at the President’s direction, together with Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, I had the privilege of announcing a new U.S.-Japan Economic Dialogue. We look forward to this dialogue, to seeing it progress, and to exploring ways that we can begin similar discussions with other nations around the world, including many of those gathered here."

President Trump's Meeting with Australian Prime Minister Turnbull

"President Donald J. Trump met with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull of Australia on May 4, 2017, in New York City. The President thanked Prime Minister Turnbull for traveling to New York for the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea, a gesture which shows the deep ties between the United States and Australia. The President and Prime Minister Turnbull discussed the enduring bonds, deep friendship, and close alliance between the United States and Australia that have been critically important to…

Readout of the Vice President’s Meetings with Australian Officials

"In addition to his meeting and press conference with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Vice President Mike Pence met today with Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, and Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove in Sydney, Australia. In his meetings, the Vice President underscored the United States’ unwavering commitment to the U.S.-Australia alliance and to the broader Asia-Pacific region. Vice President Pence conveyed the United States’ sincere appreciation for Australia’s significant contributions to Afghanistan and to defeating ISIS. He…

Vice President Pence on US Refugee Deal with Australia

"President Trump has made it clear that we'll honor the agreement — that doesn't mean we admire the agreement.[ When asked if the Trump administration will uphold the refugee resettlement agreement that was agreed to under President Obama with Australia where refugees being held in Australian detention camps in Nauru and Papua New Guinea will come to the US."

Vice President Pence’s Meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Bishop

"Vice President Mike Pence met today with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop at the White House. The two reaffirmed the strong alliance between the United States and Australia and committed to maintaining the close ties of friendship between our two countries. The Vice President thanked the Foreign Minister for Australia’s multifaceted partnership with the United States around the globe. The Vice President and Foreign Minister exchanged views on shared concerns, including growing threats to peace and security from North Korea and ISIS."

Secretary Mattis' Bilateral Meeting with Australian Minister of Defence Payne

"Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met yesterday with Australian Minister for Defence Marise Payne on the margins of the C-ISIS ministerial in Brussels. This was the first meeting between an Australian cabinet official and a member of the U.S. administration. The secretary expressed his admiration of the high-performing troops of the Australian Armed Forces, and he thanked the minister for the Australian military and people for being long-term and great allies and friends of the United States. The two leaders discussed efforts to defeat ISIS…

Vice President Pence’s Call with Australian Foreign Minister Bishop

"Vice President Mike Pence spoke with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. Foreign Minister Bishop congratulated the Vice President on the inauguration. The Vice President thanked Foreign Minister Bishop for Australia’s steadfast partnership and contributions around the globe. The two reaffirmed the importance of continuing to strengthen the U.S.-Australia alliance to maintain peace and security in the region."