The Trump Administration & US - Indo-Pacific Relations

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.

Methodology

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President Trump's Meeting with Australian Prime Minister Turnbull

"The American-Australian alliance is rock solid and based on a common purpose: to promote peace and prosperity. Our friendship is underpinned by a deep alignment of interests and our societies’ shared commitment to the values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. We recognize that it is more important than ever to defend our interests, values, and way of life. We agree that the world in which we live is contested, and that it is more important than ever to defend our common values…

U.S. Department of Commerce Initiates Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty Investigations of Imports of Rubber Bands from China, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

"Today [February 22, 2018], U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the initiation of new antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations to determine whether rubber bands from China, Sri Lanka, and Thailand are being dumped in the United States or if producers in China, Sri Lanka, and Thailand are receiving unfair subsidies. [...] In the AD investigations, Commerce will determine whether imports of rubber bands from China, Sri Lanka, and Thailand are being dumped in the U.S. market at less than fair value…

U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Final Antidumping Duty Determinations on Biodiesel From Argentina and Indonesia

"Today [February 21, 2018], U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the affirmative final determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) investigations of imports of biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia. [...] The Commerce Department determined that exporters from Argentina and Indonesia have sold biodiesel in the United States at 60.44-86.41 percent and 92.52-276.65 percent less than fair value, respectively. As a result of today’s decisions, Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to collect cash deposits from importers of biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia…

U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determination on Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings from the People's Republic of China

"Today [February 14, 2018], U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the affirmative preliminary determination in the antidumping duty (AD) investigation of imports of cast iron soil pipe fittings from China. [...] The Commerce Department preliminarily determined that exporters from China have sold cast iron soil pipe fittings in the United States at 68.37 to 109.95 percent less than fair value. As a result of today’s decision, Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to collect cash deposits from importers of cast iron…

President Trump's Call with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang

"President Donald J. Trump spoke today [February 14, 2018] with President Tran Dai Quang of Vietnam to reaffirm their shared commitment to strengthening the United States-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership. President Trump and President Quang discussed the regional security environment and the growing bilateral defense relationship between their two countries, including the upcoming visit by the United States aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson to Da Nang in March. The two leaders also discussed trade issues, and pledged to deepen and expand bilateral trade that is fair and reciprocal."

U.S. Department of Commerce Initiates Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty Investigations of Imports of Large Diameter Welded Pipe from Canada, Greece, China, India, Korea, and Turkey

"Today [February 13, 2018], U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the initiation of new antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations to determine whether imports of large diameter welded pipe from Canada, China, Greece, India, Korea, and Turkey are being dumped in the United States and/or if producers are receiving unfair subsidies. [...] The unfair subsidy programs alleged include export subsidies, inputs for less-than-adequate-remuneration, tax incentives, and subsidized loans from China, India, Korea, and Turkey. [...] In 2016, imports of large diameter welded…

[Then CIA Director] Pompeo Testifies on Top Global Threats Facing US

“We should all remember that Kim Yo Jong [Kim Jong Un’s sister] is the head of the propaganda and agitation department. There is no indication that there is any strategic change in the outlook of Kim Jong Un and his desire to retain his nuclear capacity to threaten the United States of America…Our analysts remain concerned that Kim Jong Un is not hearing the full story; that those around him are not providing nuance, are not suggesting to him the tenuous nature of his position…

Vice President Pence Remarks on North Korea Sanctions