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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Joint Communique of the 52nd U.S.-Republic of Korea Security Consultative Meeting
"1. The 52nd United States (U.S.)-Republic of Korea (ROK) Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) was held in Washington, D.C., on October 14, 2020. U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and ROK Minister of National Defense Suh Wook led their respective delegations, which included senior defense and foreign affairs officials. On October 13, 2020, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, and ROK Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Won In-choul, presided over the 45th U.S.-ROK Military Committee Meeting (MCM).
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Secretary Pompeo at a Press Availability - Indo-Pacific
Today I’m also pleased to announce that Assistant Secretary Robert Destro – right here; good to see you – that Assistant Secretary Robert Destro of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor will also serve simultaneously as the U.S. Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues.
He will focus on advancing dialogue between the communist-run government in Beijing and the Dalai Lama; protecting the distinct religious, cultural, and linguistic identity of Tibetans; improving respect for their human rights; and much, much more.
Of course, yesterday China…
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Designation of a United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues
"I am pleased to announce the concurrent designation of Assistant Secretary Robert A. Destro of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor to serve as the United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues.
Consistent with the Tibetan Policy Act, Special Coordinator Destro will lead U.S. efforts to promote dialogue between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Dalai Lama or his representatives; protect the unique religious, cultural, and linguistic identity of Tibetans; and press for their human rights to be respected. He also…
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Secretary Pompeo's at that Institute Republican Institute (IRI)'s Virtual Dinner
"We also see it in 12 courageous Hong Kongers who, on August 23rd, climbed into a speedboat and attempted their escape to freedom.
Their destination was democratic Taiwan, 400 miles away. They reportedly only made in 26 miles outside of Hong Kong’s territorial waters, before security services from Communist China scooped them up.
The Hong Kong 12 are being held incommunicado by CCP authorities on the mainland as we speak. They’ve been denied counsel.
But the Hong Kong 12 have committed no crime. They simply…
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Secretary Pompeo With Hugh Hewitt of the Hugh Hewitt Show - China and Taiwan
"QUESTION: Now, at the same time that the U.S. is leading internationally and nationally the anti-virus response, the image of China, according to Pew Research, has plummeted. A new 14-country Pew Research Center survey shows that a majority in each of the surveyed countries has an unfavorable opinion of China. Do you believe, Mr. Secretary, that the world has the number of the Chinese Communist Party? They were responsible for this nightmare. They hid it. They covered it up. They still cover it up.
SECRETARY…
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Secretary Pompeo With Greg Kelly of Greg Kelly Reports on Newsmax TV - China
"QUESTION: You bet. Listen, I’ve got some good news and bad news. We’ll start with the bad news. A major media organization has called you the worst secretary of state ever. But the good news is that’s coming from the China state-affiliated media. (Laughter.) Which I think is possibly the greatest endorsement a U.S. secretary of state could get. Were you aware of that report?
SECRETARY POMPEO: I’ve seen what the Chinese media has said about me. It’s state media, it’s directed by General Xi…
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Secretary Michael R. Pompeo With Guy Benson of The Guy Benson Show - China
"QUESTION: Shifting to China now, I saw a series of polls just in the last few days from Pew Research globally that showed huge spikes in negative views of the Chinese Government, the Chinese Communist Party, all around the advanced world. It’s not just Americans. Across the political spectrum. It’s Canadians. It’s Brits. It’s Australians. It’s Indians. It’s a whole host of people from across the world – Japanese as well.
I know that you’ve recently been in Japan. You’ve recently traveled to Europe. You’ve…
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Secretary Pompeo With Larry O’Connor of the Larry O’Connor Show - China
"QUESTION: Boy, there’s a lot going on in the news, and I know that you have been a busy man. I guess Secretary of State means you’re going to be traveling the world. But you’ve been very busy in the last week specifically with a trip to Japan, and that, of course, continues your focus on the Chinese Communist Party. Talk to me about what happened in Japan and where we stand right now with the Communist Party of China.
SECRETARY POMPEO: So it was…
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President Trump's Interview with Rush Limbaugh Interview - China
"Rush Limbaugh: (01:31:32)By the way, what’s the status of the stimulus package now, the COVID stimulus plan?
Donald Trump: (01:31:36)So I’d like to see it happen because it wasn’t … Look, a lot of people are being hurt because of China. It wasn’t these people’s fault. I would like to see it bigger, because maybe it helps or maybe it hurts negotiations. I would like to see a bigger package. I’d like to see money going to people. It was not their fault…
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Secretary Pompeo With Dana Perino of The Daily Briefing on Fox News - China
"QUESTION: All right. I wanted to ask you about China because there was a light touch of that topic at the vice presidential debate this past week, and I feel like the American people maybe deserve a little bit more on that topic since it is one I know that takes up a lot of your time. I know you recently met with the Quad – that’s a group that started in 2007 of our allies – to try to address how we are going…
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Fiji National Day
"On behalf of the Government of the United States and the American people, I offer my congratulations to the people of Fiji as you mark fifty years of independence.
Much has changed in the world since 1970, but our friendship remains steadfast. Fijians and Americans value the role that fundamental freedoms play in fostering happiness and prosperity for our two nations. Together, we aspire to a more secure Indo-Pacific, and we are addressing the challenges of today to secure a promising future for our children…
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Readout of U.S. Secretary Esper's Phone Call With Republic of Korea Minister of National Defense Suh Wook
"Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper spoke today with Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of National Defense Suh Wook and the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a steadfast ROK-U.S. Alliance and to the combined defense posture.
During the call, Secretary Esper congratulated Minister Suh on his new position and noted that he looked forward to hosting Minister Suh at the Pentagon for the 52nd Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) later this month. Minister Suh expressed his appreciation for Secretary Esper’s hospitality and committed to proactively…