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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Secretary Pompeo's Call With Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan
"Secretary Michael R. Pompeo spoke by phone today with Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. The two discussed the upcoming U.S.-ASEAN and East Asia Summits in Singapore in November. Both sides looked forward to Vice President Pence’s travel to the region. They also discussed ASEAN’s central role in the Indo-Pacific Strategy and opportunities for further enhancing bilateral and regional cooperation."
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Secretary Mattis’s Meeting Chinese Minister of National Defense Gen Wei Fenghe at the 2018 ADMM-Plus
"Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis met with Minister of National Defense GEN Wei Fenghe on the margins of the 2018 ASEAN Defense Minister’s Meeting (ADMM-Plus). The leaders discussed a broad range of defense and policy issues. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of dialogue, risk reduction, and open lines of communication between the two militaries. Secretary Mattis emphasized U.S. commitment to the Indo-Pacific and both leaders agreed to continue engagement on areas of cooperation, particularly on North Korea."
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President Trump's Remarks on Trade with South Korea
"We also completed a wonderful new deal with South Korea. This was a deal that the previous administration did. And they promised 250,000 jobs. They said, “This will create 250,000 new jobs.” And they were right — for South Korea, not for us. (Laughter.) They produced 250,000 jobs; we got nothing, except loss. So we’ve renegotiated the deal with South Korea. Now, it’s a reasonable deal."
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Vice President Pence's Interview with Robert Costa at the Washington Post's Space Summit "Transformers: Space" - China
"And so the first order of business is ensuring that the infrastructure of our satellite technology is protected. And the reality is, the more we look at our competitors in space — chiefly among them are China and Russia — we see the deployment of technologies by both of those countries — anti-satellite technologies.
China, not long ago, actually tested a missile that took out one of their own satellites. We’re seeing the deployment of additional, new anti-satellite technology that’s placed into orbit, literally satellites…
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Joint Statement by U.S. Trade Representative Robert E. Lighthizer and Philippine Secretary of Trade and Industry Ramon M. Lopez
"Following the bilateral meeting between the United States and the Philippines on August 31, 2018 in Singapore, during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Economic Ministers Meeting, and recalling the Joint Statement Between the United States of America and the Republic of the Philippines issued on November 13, 2017, U.S. Trade Representative Robert E. Lighthizer and Philippine Secretary of Trade and Industry Ramon M. Lopez are pleased to announce several recent achievements resolving bilateral trade issues under their bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (“TIFA”).
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Secretary Mattis’s Tri-lateral Meeting with Japan and the Republic of Korea
"Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis met with Defense Ministers Takeshi Iwaya of Japan and Jeong Kyeong-doo of the Republic of Korea, to reaffirm the long-standing defense relationships between the three nations.The leaders discussed a broad range of defense and policy issues, and the Secretary thanked the Ministers for their country’s commitment to a prosperous, enduring relationship with the United States.They agreed to continue expanding cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and East Asia. Secretary Mattis acknowledged Japan and South Korea for being staunch allies during turbulent…
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Readout of Secretary Mattis’ Meeting with ROK Minister of Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo
"ROK Minister of Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo and the U.S. Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis met for the first time on October 19 on the margins of the 5th ASEAN Defense Minister’ Meeting – Plus (ADMM-Plus). They discussed steps to strengthen the Alliance and build confidence and cooperation to enhance regional security.
Minister Jeong and Secretary Mattis look forward to the 50th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) scheduled on October 31 in Washington D.C., where they will reaffirm the robust ROK – U.S. ironclad Alliance."
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Secretary Mattis’s Meeting with Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence General Prawit Wongsuwan
"Secretary James N. Mattis met with Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence General Prawit Wongsuwan to discuss the U.S.-Thailand defense alliance and regional security issues during the 2018 Association of Southeast Asian Nations Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM-Plus).Secretary Mattis highlighted the priority the National Defense Strategy places on working with allies and partners to advance common interests and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The leaders reflected on the broad range of U.S.-Thai defense cooperation and discussed opportunities to enhance the alliance's strength…
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Readout of Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis’ meeting with Japan Minister of Defense Taeshi Iwaya at the 2018 ADMM-Plus
"Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis met with Japanese Minister of Defense Taeshi Iwaya to reaffirm the long-standing defense relationship between the United States and Japan.The leaders discussed a broad range of defense and policy issues, and the secretary thanked Minister Iwaya for his country’s desire to enhance and enable the cooperation between the U.S. and Japan. Secretary Mattis thanked the minister for his continued commitment to the partnership between the two countries."