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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President Trump's Call with South Korean President Moon
"President Donald J. Trump spoke yesterday evening with President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea to discuss recent developments in North Korea and to continue their close coordination ahead of President Trump’s June 12 meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. President Trump said he looks forward to continuing their conversation when President Moon visits the White House on May 22."
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Joint Statement of the United States and China Regarding Trade Consultations
"At the direction of President Donald J. Trump and President Xi Jinping, on May 17 and 18, 2018, the United States and China engaged in constructive consultations regarding trade in Washington, D.C. The United States delegation included Secretary of the Treasury Steven T. Mnuchin, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur L. Ross, and United States Trade Representative Robert E. Lighthizer. The Chinese delegation was led by State Council Vice Premier Liu He, Special Envoy of President Xi. There was a consensus on taking effective measures to substantially…
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks on Timor-Leste Day
"On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I offer congratulations to the people of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste as you celebrate the 16th anniversary of the Restoration of Independence on May 20, 2018. The United States and Timor-Leste share a friendship based on the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, as well as growing ties between the American and Timorese peoples. The United States values our continued partnership with Timor-Leste for the benefit of security and…
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Remarks by Secretary Ross at the National Press Club Headliners Luncheon
"But the retaliation lists published by China have created worry about a trade war. So, let’s analyze how far it might go. As the President has pointed out, China sells us far more than we sell them. Given the lopsided balance, they would run out of targets for tariffs much sooner than we would. Also, their retaliations would negatively impact their own economy as well as ours. China buys no products from us if they have cheaper alternatives. Therefore, the tariffs they impose will come…
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Secretary Pompeo's Interview With Chris Wallace of Fox News Sunday
"[T]his administration is always concerned about human rights. It’s the case not only are there political prisoners that remain in North Korea, there are Americans held around the world by other rogue regimes too. I can assure you this administration – I saw it in my role as director of the CIA and I’ve seen it now in my first two and a half weeks as Secretary of State – is intently focused on achieving the return of each of those as well. We had…
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Secretary Pompeo's Interview with Margaret Brennan of CBS Face the Nation
"Well, my trip was designed to lay the groundwork to prepare for the President’s meeting with Chairman Kim on June 12th, now just 30 days away. We have seen this happen before. We have our eyes wide open with respect to the fact that the North Koreans have not proved worthy of their promises. But we’re hopeful that this will be different, that we won’t do the traditional model where they do something, and we give them a bunch of money, and then both sides…