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 Mattis on National Defense Strategy - Indo-Pacific
"In the Indo-Pacific region, we keep our decades-old alliances strong by building new partnerships. From this year's historic visit of the USS Carl Vinson, to Vietnam, to our deepening security cooperation with India, which shows the growing trust between the world's two largest democracies, both Pacific powers. In Korea, our diplomats speak from a position of unquestioned strength, as they endeavor to achieve the complete, verified denuclearization of North Korea. [...] We are in era of great power competition, but as President Trump has said…
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Secretary Pompeo's Interview With George Lawson of KFDI News
"QUESTION: Can you talk about the working group that has been set up by the U.S. and South Korea on dealings with North Korea?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yes. That – it’s important as we work to denuclearize North Korea, as we work to fulfill the promises that were made between President Trump and Chairman Kim, there are lots of elements to them. One of them is the relationship between South Korea and North Korea, and the working group is designed to make sure that that effort…
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Vice President Pence's Remarks at the 2018 APEC CEO Summit
"Thank you, Scott. And thank you all for that warm welcome. Prime Minister O’Neill, Chairman Taureka, representatives from across the region, leaders of the business community, and to all our distinguished guests, it’s my honor to join you here at the “premier economic forum” in the Indo-Pacific: the 2018 APEC CEO Summit. Thank you all for being here. (Applause.)
At this forum last year, President Donald Trump laid out the United States’ vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, where, in his words, “sovereign and…
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Secretary Pompeo's Meeting With Republic of Korea Unification Minister Cho
"Secretary Michael R. Pompeo met with ROK Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon on November 16, 2018 in Washington, DC. They affirmed their commitment to close coordination during ongoing efforts to achieve the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK as agreed to by Chairman Kim. Both sides also discussed ways to deepen coordination so that inter-Korean cooperation and progress on U.S.-DPRK negotiations toward denuclearization remain aligned."
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Vice President Pence’s Meeting with President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea
"Vice President Mike Pence met today with President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea on the margins of the East Asia Summit. Vice President Pence and President Moon reaffirmed the U.S.-ROK Alliance as the linchpin of peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. They also discussed the ongoing efforts to accomplish our two countries’ mutual goals of achieving the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea, as agreed to by Chairman Kim, and establishing a permanent peace on the Korean…
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Prepared Remarks for Vice President Pence at the East Asia Summit Plenary Session
- "It’s an honor to be here with so many leaders from across the Indo-Pacific at the 13th East Asia Summit. Prime Minister Lee, thank you once again for hosting this meeting in the beautiful and inspiring nation of Singapore.
- Last year, President Donald Trump attended this summit to lay out the United States’ vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. I’m here today to discuss the concrete steps we are taking to protect our nation, defend our allies and partners, and uphold the principles and that…
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Vice President Pence's Op-Ed in The Washington Post on US-Indo-Pacific Relations
We seek an Indo-Pacific — from the United States to India, from Japan to Australia, and everywhere in between — where sovereignty is respected, where commerce flows unhindered and where independent nations are masters of their own destinies. This region, which includes more than half of Earth’s surface and population, has experienced great progress when these principles have been respected. While some nations now seek to undermine this foundation, the United States is taking decisive action to protect our interests and promote the Indo-Pacific’s shared…