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 Meeting With North Korean Foreign Minister Ri
"Today, Secretary Pompeo met with Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in New York. Secretary Pompeo accepted Chairman Kim’s invitation to travel to Pyongyang next month to make further progress on the implementation of the commitments from the U.S.-DPRK Singapore summit, including the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK, and to prepare for a second summit between President Trump and Chairman Kim."
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Secretary Mattis's Remarks at Press Gaggle - China
"Q: Ask about China, this increased tensions with China. There was a continuous bomber presence mission yesterday over the South China Sea, which is going to -- SEC. MATTIS: The planes that we have – Idrees the planes, the ships sailing in South China Sea and all, that just goes on. If it was 20 years ago and they had not militarized those features there, it would've just been another bomber on its way to Diego Garcia or whatever. Or down to work with one…
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Secretary Mattis's Remarks at Press Gaggle - South Korea
"Q: Do you agree with General [Robert] Abrams [nominee to serve as next commander of U.S. Forces Korea] that there's been a slight degradation in the capabilities of the readiness of U.S. forces in South Korea? SEC. MATTIS: Well, if you -- if you -- if you emphasize the word slight, certainly if you're not training today then you could say there's a slight degradation. Is it notable? Is it material? I think that's why he put the word slight in there. So there --…
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President Trump's Remarks at Press Gaggle Upon Arriving at United Nations Headquarters - North Korea
"Q No — what needs to happen — on North Korea, what needs to happen on North Korea? What does North Korea need to do before you will meet Chairman Kim again?
THE PRESIDENT: We are denuclearizing North Korea. We have a wonderful relationship going between our country and them. We’re being helped a lot by Japan, and very much by President Moon of South Korea.
And North Korea — it’s going along very well. We really have had a tremendous amount of progress since…
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Secretary Pompeo's Interview With Norah O'Donnell of CBS News - North Korea
"QUESTION: South Korean President Moon Jae-in said that he was going to deliver a secret message from Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, to President Trump. What was in that message?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So the messages that we’ve been receiving from Chairman Kim have been very consistent. They are that he is intent on denuclearizing, he understands that, he understands the scope of that and what that means. He’s been very consistent in his commitment to delivering on that promise. We need to find our…
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President Trump's Remarks at Press Gaggle Upon Arriving at United Nations Headquarters - Japan
"Q What are you going to discuss with the Japanese Prime Minister Abe today?
THE PRESIDENT: A very good relationship with — as you know, with Prime Minister Abe. He was in my apartment just the other day in Trump Tower. We had a very long, couple-of-hour discussion. He loves his country.
He had a tremendous victory in the election, as you know, which I was very happy about. I don’t know if you’re supposed to endorse somebody or not, but I endorsed him and…
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President Trump’s Meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan
"Today, President Donald J. Trump met with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan in New York. The two leaders discussed recent developments on the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea’s recent commitment to dismantle its weapons of mass destruction and missile programs, and agreed that much hard work remains. The two leaders reaffirmed their shared goal of achieving the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea as agreed to by Chairman Kim, noting that the responsibility is on North Korea to implement immediate measures in line…
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President Trump's Remarks at the United Nations Security Council Briefing on Counterproliferation - North Korea
"As I also mentioned yesterday, we have seen the results of historic efforts to open new pathways to peace on the North Korean Peninsula — on the Korean Peninsula. And that’s something we are extremely proud of.
I am pleased to say that North Korea has not conducted a missile test since last November. It has not conducted a nuclear test since last September. And the hostages have been returned to us. And very importantly, the remains of American heroes are now returning home.
In…
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Vice President Pence's Remarks with Vice President Kalla of the Republic of Indonesia Before Bilateral Meeting
"Let me say it’s a great honor to be here with Vice President Kalla. I had the great privilege of traveling to Indonesia last year, representing the United States.
And we are so grateful for the leadership across the region, and the example across the world, that Indonesia represents in its commitment to religious pluralism and also its commitment to a strong alliance, now 70 years between the United States and Indonesia.
I look forward to returning to the region later this year for the…
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Joint Statement on Trilateral Meeting of the Trade Ministers of the United States, Japan, and the European Union
"The Ministers reiterated their concern with and confirmed their shared objective to address non market-oriented policies and practices of third countries that lead to severe overcapacity, create unfair competitive conditions for their workers and businesses, hinder the development and use of innovative technologies, and undermine the proper functioning of international trade, including where existing rules are not effective.
The Ministers recalled that market-oriented conditions are fundamental to a fair, mutually advantageous global trading system and that their citizens and businesses operate under market-oriented conditions. They…
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Secretary Mattis's Remarks at the Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia - North Korea and China
"I think when you look at external threats, the first one I have to look at is the nuclear threat out of Russia and to a lesser degree China and certainly North Korea, but North Korea's an urgent threat. [...] There's also other challenges out there as well, but in terms of urgency, I'd say North Korea. In terms of power right now, it is probably Russia and the nuclear threat. And in terms of long-term political will, it's China. But China does not have…