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 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 Interview With Sabrina Bacal of TVN - China
"QUESTION: Last month the State Department called Charge Cabral for consultations along with the ambassadors of El Salvador and the Dominican Republic. The main issue discussed was China’s growing influence in the region. Do you have any message you wish to deliver in this regard?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So America wants good things for the people of Panama and for the region, and so we want to make sure when there are countries that invest, China included, that they’re done in a way that is consistent…
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks to Traveling Press - China's Investment in Panama
"QUESTION: Are there specific projects in Panama that you’re eyeing, sort of Chinese investment or Chinese intervention in certain projects in Panama?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah, but I don’t want to say anything. We just – it’s a broader – but the importance isn’t that China is out competing in the world. We welcome that. It’s when the state-owned enterprises show up in a way that is clearly not transparent, clearly not market-driven, and is designed not to benefit the people of Panama but rather to…
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Secretary Mattis's Meeting with Vietnam Minister of National Defense Ngo Xuan Lich
"Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis met with Vietnam Minister of National Defense Ngo Xuan Lich for the fifth time today to reaffirm the long-standing defense relationship between the United States and Vietnam. The leaders discussed a broad range of defense issues, to include increasing cooperation in the areas of maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and peacekeeping. They also confirmed close cooperation on addressing legacy of war issues and accounting for U.S. personnel missing from the Vietnam War. Secretary Mattis noted his visit…
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President Trump's Remarks in a Cabinet Meeting - China
"We’re in a position where we’re in very good shape with China. China wants to make a deal. And we’re just — I’m just saying they’re not ready yet. I told them, “You’re not ready to make a deal yet.” And I don’t blame China. I blame the people that were in charge of running our country, for allowing that to happen. China was taking out $500 billion a year — and more. And that should never have been allowed to happen.
But likewise, other…
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USTR Lighthizer's Announcement on Trade Agreement Negotiations with Japan
"In accordance with section 105(a)(l)(A) of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (the Trade Priorities and Accountability Act), and pursuant to authority delegated to me by the President, I am pleased to notify Congress that the President intends to initiate negotiations on a U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement. We will consult closely with Congress in developing our negotiating positions to ensure that they are consistent with Congressional priorities and objectives outlined in section 102 of the Trade Priorities and Accountability Act. We intend…
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Secretary Mattis's Remarks en route to Vietnam - China and the South China Sea
"Q: Mr. Secretary, could I ask you about China?SEC. MATTIS: Sure.Q: You -- you've made some remarks about it. The vice president laid out a -- in his speech, what he called a new approach to China, in which -- some of which seems aimed at being more confrontational in a variety of ways, but militarily, economically, et cetera.On the military front, your -- your meetings in Beijing were canceled. On the military front, are we seeing a more -- will we be seeing a…