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 Ross' Meetings with Chinese Officials
Over the weekend, Administration officials, led by Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, concluded a series of meetings in Beijing with a delegation from the government of China, as part of ongoing trade discussions. The meetings focused on reducing the United States’ trade deficit by facilitating the supply of agricultural and energy products to meet China’s growing consumption needs, which will help support growth and employment in the United States. The United States officials conveyed President Donald J. Trump’s clear goal for achieving a fair trading…
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Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Indian Prime Minister Modi
"On June 2, Secretary Mattis met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ 17th Asia Security Summit, also known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, in Singapore. The two discussed the importance of the U.S.-India relationship, and the role of both nations in cooperating to uphold international laws and principles and to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. The Prime Minister and Secretary pledged to continue the strong U.S.-India strategic partnership and affirmed their commitment to maintaining peace…
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks on Anniversary of Tiananmen Square
"On the 29th anniversary of the violent suppression of peaceful demonstrations in and around Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, we remember the tragic loss of innocent lives. As Liu Xiaobo wrote in his 2010 Nobel Peace Prize speech, delivered in absentia, “the ghosts of June 4th have not yet been laid to rest.” We join others in the international community in urging the Chinese government to make a full public accounting of those killed, detained or missing; to release those who have been jailed…
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Press Gaggle by Secretary Mattis En Route to Washington, D.C.
"So the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea or North Korea] issue. I know you all want to know. In almost all of my discussions, but it was a surprising commonality about, you know, a complete verifiable, irreversible, removal of WMD, of nuclear weapons and WMD. [...] On DPRK, one thing that keeps coming up is about our troop strength on the peninsula. I'll say it again, I'm not making news here, the same thing -- we're not going anywhere. It's not even a subject…
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Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Malaysian Minister of Defence Mohamad bin Sabu
"Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met today with Malaysian Minister of Defence Mohamad bin Sabu on the sidelines of the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ 17th Asia Security Summit, also known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, in Singapore. This was the first meeting between the two, and after Secretary Mattis congratulated him on his recent appointment they reaffirmed building upon a foundation of strong U.S.-Malaysian defense ties by providing an opportunity for both to share perspectives on security challenges facing Southeast Asia. The two leaders discussed…
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Secretary Mattis' Remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue - Indo-Pacific Strategy
"So, make no mistake, America is in the Indo-Pacific to stay. This is our priority theater, our interests, and the regions are inextricably intertwined. Our Indo-Pacific strategy makes significant security, economic, and development investments, ones that demonstrate our commitment to allies and partners in support of our vision of a safe, secure, prosperous, and free Indo-Pacific based on shared principles with those nations, large and small. Ones who believe their future lies in respect for sovereignty and independence of every nation, no matter its size…
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Secretary Mattis' Remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue - South Korea
"I would tell you that any discussion about the number of U.S. troops in the Republic of Korea is subject to -- one, the Republic of Korea's invitation to have them there and the discussions between the United States and the Republic of Korea -- separate and distinct from the negotiations that are going on with DPRK. They have -- that issue will not come up in the discussions with DPRK and as you all recognize; those troops are there as a recognition of a…
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Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee
"Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Singapore on June 1 on the sidelines of the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ 17th Asia Security Summit, also known as the Shangri-La Dialogue. During their meeting, the Secretary and Prime Minister reaffirmed the excellent and long-standing bilateral defense relationship between the United States and Singapore. Secretary Mattis underscored that Singapore is a trusted strategic partner. The two leaders exchanged views on the regional security environment and discussed a range…
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Secretary Mattis' Remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue - ASEAN
"Central among these, of course, is ASEAN and the institutions it created, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum, the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus, and the East Asia Summit, as well as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, and trilateral and multilateral mechanisms of like-minded partners. A central element of our strategy is strengthening of our alliances and partnerships in terms of mutual benefit and trusted relationships. We are committed to working by, with, and through allies and partners to address common challenges, to enhance shared capabilities…