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
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President Trump's Meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Abe
"On April 17-18 at Mar-a-Lago, President Donald J. Trump and [Japanese] Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held their third meeting and affirmed their strong determination to strengthen our shared resolve on North Korea, and increase the capability of the U.S.-Japan Alliance to confront all emerging threats to peace, stability, and an international order based on the rule of law. The two leaders expressed their joint commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and an enhanced U.S.-Japan economic relationship."
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U.S. Department of Commerce Initiates Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty Investigations of Imports of Certain Steel Wheels from China
"U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross today [April 17, 2018] announced the initiation of new antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations to determine whether certain steel wheels from China are being dumped in the United States and if producers in China are receiving unfair subsidies. [...] These AD and CVD investigations were initiated based on petitions filed by Accuride Corporation (Evansville, IN) and Maxion Wheels Akron LLC (Akron, OH) on March 27, 2018. The alleged dumping margins range from 12.1 – 231.7 percent. There are 56 subsidy programs alleged."
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Remarks by President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Abe - North Korea
"South Korea’s meetings with North Korea are very much in coordination with us. We’re in consultation with them constantly. Our relationship with South Korea is a very good one. In fact, we’re in the midst of negotiating a new and better, perhaps for both sides, trade deal. Because right now it’s an unfair deal, frankly, to the United States. But what else is new. All of them are. But we are going to finalize a new deal fairly soon. We probably could have it done…
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Remarks by President Trump at the Tax Cuts for Florida Small Businesses Roundtable
"But with China, we’re at $375 billion trade deficit. So we started a process, and we’ll see how it ends up. But we’re going to win. You know, I always said we had an imbalance of $504 billion. And I always said, 'When you’re down $504 billion, you can’t lose.' Okay? We lost years ago by Presidents and others allowing this to happen. They should have never allowed it to happen. But we’re going to bring it back, and we’re bringing it back strong. It’s…
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Remarks by President Trump in Meeting with Governors and Members of Congress
"As you are all aware, China has consistently treated the United States agriculture unfairly. I was very proud of something I did at Mar-a-Lago, in Florida. I had President Xi, who’s a friend of mine, who’s a very, very good man. And I don’t blame China; I blame our representatives that — our people over the past, our Presidents and negotiators and trade representatives — that they allowed this to happen. But during a very brief conversation, I said, 'President, the United States, we want…
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks During Confirmation Hearing - China; Militants in Southeast Asia; Taiwan; North Korea
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks During Confirmation Hearing - Indo-Pacific; China; South China Sea; North Korea
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks During Confirmation Hearing - North Korea
View the remarks posed by the Senators here: Senator Jeff Merkley (OR) (1 and 2); Senator John Barrasso (WY); Senator Ed Markey (MA); and Senator Jeff Flake (AZ)