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
All Posts
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Joint News Conference with Secretary Mattis and South Korean Defense Minister Song
"I'm here to underscore America's priority commitment for a bilateral alliance, and make clear the Trump administration's full commitment to the United Nations mission for the defense of your democracy, standing as it does as a bedrock countering DPRK's efforts to destabilize this region and be a threat to the world. [...] The United States stands by its commitments, and we stand with our allies. The people of this thriving democracy [South Korea], our alliance is a testimonial to our mutual commitment and respect.[...] North…
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Remarks by Secretary Mattis and Korean Defense Minister Song at the DMZ [Demilitarized Zone], South Korea
"And I'm here today to reaffirm the United States' ironclad commitment to the South Korean people. This visit today to this demilitarized zone portrays in very strong terms the difference we see between two nations. To the south lies a vibrant country, a vibrant economy, a free country, and it's underpinned by peace-loving members of a free society. Behind me to the north, an oppressive regime that shackles its people, denying their freedom, their welfare and their human dignity in pursuit of nuclear weapons in…
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Remarks to Airmen at Minot Air Force Base by Vice President Pence
"In the face of ongoing threats and provocations by the regime in North Korea, I can assure you the United States will continue to marshal economic and diplomatic pressure to demand that North Korea abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. President Trump has made clear that the United States has, in his words, 'great strength and patience,' all options are on the table. Our enemies should never doubt the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the United States of America. Anyone who would threaten…
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Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Indian Minister of Defence Sitharaman
"Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met with Indian Minister of Defence Nirmala Sitharaman October 25 on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines. Both agreed on the importance of a rules-based international order in which all nations are able to prosper, and the need to work together against the common threat of terrorism. The two discussed a range of initiatives to strengthen U.S.-India defense cooperation and enhance India’s leadership role in the Indo-Pacific. In particular, the two emphasized the…
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Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Malaysian Minister of Defense Hishammuddin
"Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met today with Malaysian Minister of Defense Hishammuddin Tun Hussein on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) convened in Clark, the Philippines. The secretary and Minister Hishammuddin exchanged views on regional security and emphasized the need for continued ASEAN centrality to address shared security challenges facing Southeast Asia. The two leaders discussed the importance of a free and open Indo-Asian Pacific that safeguards freedom of navigation through a rules-based international order. Secretary Mattis and Minister Hishammuddin agreed…
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Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Philippine President Duterte
"Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met Oct. 24 with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) that convened in Clark, the Philippines. They discussed the strength of the U.S.-Philippines relationship and Secretary Mattis reaffirmed our ironclad commitment to the U.S.-Philippines Alliance. Secretary Mattis and President Duterte exchanged views on the importance of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific built on the foundations of a shared rules-based international order. Secretary Mattis reaffirmed U.S. resolve to stand by its long-time…
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Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Lorenzana
"Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met Oct. 24 with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) convened in Clark, the Philippines. The two leaders discussed the depth and breadth of the U.S.-Philippines relationship, including the enduring people-to-people ties between the two nations. Secretary Mattis reaffirmed the United States' ironclad commitment to the U.S.-Philippines Alliance and the importance of strengthening defense capabilities through regular bilateral training and exercises. Secretary Mattis and Secretary Lorenzana exchanged views on…
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President Trump's Call with Chinese President Xi
"President Donald J. Trump spoke today with President Xi Jinping of China, on the occasion of the closing of China’s Party Congress, to welcome continued cooperation of the two countries in the years ahead. President Trump told President Xi he looks forward to visiting China in early November, and to advancing joint efforts to denuclearize North Korea."
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Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Vietnamese Minister of National Defense Lich
"Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met with Vietnam Minister of National Defense Ngo Xuan Lich on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines. The two leaders exchanged views on regional security and emphasized the need for continued ASEAN cooperation to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. They also reaffirmed their intention to deepen the bilateral defense relationship, particularly in the area of maritime security, and highlighted progress made since their August meeting in Washington. Secretary Mattis underscored the United…
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Secretary Mattis' ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus [ADMM-Plus] Meeting
"Secretary Mattis reaffirmed the United States' commitment to allies and partners across the region, and to a free and open Indo-Pacific, which includes a strong ASEAN that speaks with one voice on regional and global issues. The secretary stressed the importance of international cooperation to pressure North Korea in order to realize the shared goal of complete, verifiable, irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. Secretary Mattis congratulated the Philippines on its recent successes against ISIS in the southern Philippines. To improve counterterrorism cooperation among ASEAN…
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Secretary Mattis' ASEAN Informal Meetings
"Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met today with his ten ASEAN counterparts on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines to discuss mutual security challenges and our strong multilateral defense cooperation. They exchanged views on regional security, and Secretary Mattis emphasized the need for continued cooperation in the international community to apply greater diplomatic and economic pressure on North Korea to fully implement all U.N. Security Council resolutions. Meeting participants also emphasized the need for continued ASEAN unity to address…