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 Remarks at Press Conference After NATO Summit
"I actually came straight from North Korea with a couple of stops here to Brussels. We had a productive conversation. There remains a great deal of work to do, but I think, most importantly, my counterpart, Kim Yong Chol, made a commitment consistent with what President Trump was able to achieve with Chairman Kim, which was: They intend to denuclearize. They’re going to accomplish it. And now the task is to get it implemented."
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Remarks by President Trump at Press Conference After NATO Summit - North Korea
"That was an amazing — really, an amazing meeting [with North Korean Chairman Kim Jong Un], I though. And I really think that we established a very good relationship. We’ll see where it all ends. But there have been no missile tests. There have been no research. Where there has been — they have blown up a site; I hear they’re blowing up another site, missile site. They’ve taken down all of the propaganda. In fact, somebody said there’s no more music playing at the…
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Remarks by President Trump at Press Conference After NATO Summit - China
"I’ve said from day one, whether it’s China or Russia — you know, we’re working on trade with China right now, and I don’t say that’s an easy situation, because that’s been years of abuse of the United States by presidents, frankly, that allowed that to happen. So I’ve taken over a lot of bad hands, and I’m fixing each one of them and I’m fixing them well. But China is going to be, I think, very successfully, ultimately, taken care of. I have a…
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Remarks by Vice President Pence at “Tax Cuts to Put America First” Event - China
"Under President Trump, we’re standing up to countries that have for too long benefitted by access to the American market without giving reciprocal access to their markets. Countries — in particular, like China — have been informed that the days of disproportionate and imbalanced trade relationships with the United States are coming to an end. The truth of the matter is, the President has taken a strong stand with China and with other trading partners around the world who have, frankly, taken advantage of imbalanced…
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Remarks by Vice President Pence at Rockwell Collins - China
"And for the first time in 13 years, American beef is going to China. And we’re going to continue to work hard to lower the trade barriers. The President is over at a NATO Summit, but I guarantee you he’s talking about trade and he’s talking about American agriculture. The truth of the matter is, the President really does believe, and we all believe, that for too long America’s trading relationships with many of our leading trade partners have been too one-sided, with those countries…
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U.S. Department of Commerce Initiates Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty Investigations of Imports of Steel Racks from China
"Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the initiation of new antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations to determine whether steel racks from China are being dumped in the United States and to determine if producers in China are receiving unfair subsidies. [...] In the AD investigation, Commerce will determine whether imports of steel racks from China are being dumped in the U.S. market at less than fair value. The alleged dumping margins range from 130.0 to 144.5 percent. In the CVD…
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks on Kiribati National Day
"On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, please accept my best wishes as you and the people of Kiribati celebrate your National Day. The United States and the Republic of Kiribati share a close partnership based on mutual respect and common interests. Later this year our citizens will come together to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Tarawa, a pivotal event in the history of both our nations. I appreciate the warm cooperation from the government and people of…
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USTR Lighthizer's Remarks on Section 301 Action
“On Friday, in response to unfair Chinese practices, the United States began imposing tariffs of 25 percent on approximately $34 billion worth of Chinese imports. These tariffs will eventually cover up to $50 billion in Chinese imports as legal processes conclude. The products targeted by the tariffs are those that benefit from China’s industrial policy and forced technology transfer practices.China has since retaliated against the United States by imposing tariffs on $34 billion in U.S. exports to China, and threatening tariffs on another $16 billion…
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Secretary Pompeo's Meeting with Vietnamese Leaders
"On July 8 and 9, Secretary Pompeo met in Hanoi, Vietnam with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh. The Secretary and Vietnamese leaders discussed our joint commitment toward the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea. The Secretary thanked Vietnam’s leaders for their strong commitment to strictly enforce UN Security Council Resolutions related to North Korea. They also affirmed their shared interest in upholding peace…
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Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono, and South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha at a Press Availability
"As President Trump has said, there is no limit to what North Korea can achieve if it gives up its nuclear weapons. Should the DPRK follow through on its commitments, we look forward to eventually helping North Korea obtain prosperity and earn the respect of the world; however, North Korea will first have to fulfill its commitments to denuclearize. Sanctions will remain in place until final, fully verified denuclearization, as agreed to by Chairman Kim, occurs. Multiple UN Security Council resolutions unanimously passed require all…