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
Text
President Trump’s Call with Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia
"President Donald J. Trump spoke last night with Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia and congratulated him on his recent election. The two leaders underscored the importance of the bilateral partnership between the United States and Australia. They also pledged to continue to closely cooperate on priorities the two countries share."
Text
Secretary Pompeo's Call With Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Kang
"On August 24, Secretary Michael R. Pompeo spoke with Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha of the Republic of Korea to discuss next steps on DPRK engagement. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Kang reaffirmed the United States and the Republic of Korea remain committed to the final, fully verified denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), as Chairman Kim Jong Un committed to at the Singapore Summit. The two pledged to maintain close coordination and agreed that pressure must continue until the DPRK denuclearizes."
Text
U.S. Department of Commerce Announces Selection of ZTE Special Compliance Coordinator
"Today, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur L. Ross, Jr. announced the selection of Roscoe C. Howard, Jr. to be the Special Compliance Coordinator (SCC) for Zhongxing Telecommunications Equipment Corporation, of Shenzhen, China and ZTE Kangxun Telecommunications Ltd. of Hi-New Shenzhen, China (collectively, ZTE). The Special Compliance Coordinator was selected after a rigorous search by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). This appointment is the result of the historic settlement between the Department of Commerce and ZTE that includes a $1.761 billion fine, a ten-year probationary…
Text
Secretary Pompeo's Call With Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono
"On August 24, Secretary Michael R. Pompeo spoke with Japanese Foreign Minister Kono to discuss next steps on DPRK engagement. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Kono reaffirmed our commitment to the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK. The Secretary and Minister agreed that pressure must continue until the DPRK denuclearizes. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Kono affirmed the strength of the U.S.-Japan Alliance and vowed to continue working closely together to address common challenges, seize shared opportunities, and advance the interests of both the…
Text
Secretary Ross's Op-Ed: Our National Security Depends on a Healthy Aluminum Industry
"For years, the Federal Government failed to take strong action, allowing the United States aluminum sector and its ability to support our armed forces to severely erode. By the end of 2016, the American primary aluminum business was almost wiped out by these practices.
While this critical industry closed one smelter after another, the Chinese and other foreign governments were subsidizing millions of tons of new production capacity.
China, which produced 2.4 million metric tons of aluminum in 2000, increased its output to 36 million…
Text
Remarks by Secretary Wilbur L. Ross at Century Aluminum Smelter in Hawesville, Kentucky
"On a global scale, U.S. aluminum production accounted for less than 1 percent of world output.
And while U.S. production has steadily declined since 2000, China’s output of aluminum has increased by 1,390 percent, from 2.4 million metric tons in 2000 to a whopping 36.2 million metric tons in 2017. China’s output last year was 49 times higher than U.S. production, and almost all of it was sub-standard, and subsidized — produced by state-owned enterprises.
For the first time in decades, we are changing the…
Text
Secretary Pompeo's Call With New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters
"Secretary Pompeo spoke yesterday with New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters. Secretary Pompeo thanked Foreign Minister Peters for New Zealand’s continued support in working towards the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK as agreed to by Chairman Kim Jong Un, including the implementation of UN Security Council sanctions. They discussed cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and joint efforts at strengthening the rules-based regional order."
Text
Remarks by President Trump in Cabinet Meeting - North Korea
"[President Trump:] I’d like to ask, Mike, if you could talk a little bit about North Korea — where we are with North Korea.
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yes, sir, Mr. President. So we’re now many months with no additional missile tests. Many months with no additional nuclear testing from the North Koreans. We’re continuing to engage in conversation with them about a path forward to a brighter future for the North Koreans.
We have 55 sets of remains that have been returned. The Department of Defense…