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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Remarks by President Trump at 5th U.S.-ASEAN Summit
"I speak to you on behalf of 350 million Americans with a message of friendship and partnership. I'm here to advance peace, to promote security, and to work with you to achieve a truly free and open Indo-Pacific, where we are proud and we have sovereign nations, and we thrive, and everybody wants to prosper. This year we mark 40 years of friendship and cooperation between the United States and this organization. It's a long time. I also want to congratulate ASEAN on 50 years…
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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Tool Chests and Cabinets from China and Vietnam
"Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the affirmative preliminary determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) investigations of imports of tool chests and cabinets from the People’s Republic of China (China) and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Vietnam). [...] In 2016, imports of tool chests and cabinets from China and Vietnam were valued at an estimated $230 million and $77 million, respectively."
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President Trump's Meeting with Indian Prime Minister Modi
"President Donald J. Trump met today with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India in Manila, Philippines. The two leaders discussed the comprehensive strategic partnership between the United States and India and their shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. They pledged to enhance their cooperation as Major Defense Partners, resolving that two of the world’s great democracies should also have the world’s greatest militaries. President Trump expressed appreciation that Indian purchases of oil from the United States have surpassed 10 million barrels in…
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President Trump's Meeting with Australian Prime Minister Turnbull and Japanese Prime Minister Abe
"President Donald J. Trump met with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull of Australia and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan today in Manila, Philippines. The three leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining maximum pressure on North Korea in the effort to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. They also discussed expanded security cooperation for enhanced deterrence and defense against North Korean aggression. President Trump, Prime Minister Turnbull, and Prime Minister Abe underscored the importance of working together to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The three leaders…
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President Trump's Meeting with Philippine President Duterte
"U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte met in Manila, Philippines on November 13, 2017, to discuss a broad range of shared interests and priorities. Both leaders praised the enduring United States-Philippines Alliance, built on a strong foundation of shared values, sacrifices, and history, and bolstered by common interests, people-to-people ties, and full respect for legal and diplomatic processes. They pledged to expand cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the bilateral alliance—a 70-year partnership that has stood the test of time…
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U.S. Department of Commerce Finds Dumping and Subsidization of Imports of Hardwood Plywood Products from China
"Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the affirmative final determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of imports of hardwood plywood products from the People’s Republic of China (China). The Commerce Department determined that exporters from China sold hardwood plywood products in the United States at 183.36 percent less than fair value. Commerce also determined that China is providing unfair subsidies to its producers of hardwood plywood products at rates ranging from 22.98 to 194.9 percent."
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Remarks by President Trump at 5th U.S.-ASEAN Summit
"I'm honored to represent the United States of America at this U.S.-ASEAN Commemorative Summit. We gather today at a time of great promise and great challenge. I speak to you on behalf of 350 million Americans with a message of friendship and partnership. I'm here to advance peace, to promote security, and to work with you to achieve a truly free and open Indo-Pacific, where we are proud and we have sovereign nations, and we thrive, and everybody wants to prosper. This year we mark…
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Remarks by President Trump Before Bilateral Meeting with Vietnamese President Quang - North Korea and China
"The North Korean situation continues to be a problem. I think that China -- as you know, we saw -- we were in China yesterday and the day before. And President Xi, I think, is going to be a tremendous help. I hope Russia, likewise, will be a tremendous help. I think they can make a big difference. I know that South Korea and Japan are very much unified in the sense that they want to be able to take care of a problem that's…
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Remarks by President Trump Before Bilateral Meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Phuc
"Important to me is trade, because right now we have a very substantial trade imbalance with Vietnam -- approximately $32 billion, which is a tremendous amount of money. And we have to take care of our American companies and we have to take care of American workers. And perhaps the administrations previous to me didn’t like the subject, understand the subject -- something was wrong -- because there are so many problems having to do with trade imbalance. So we want to get that straightened…
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Joint Statement between the United States of America and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
"At the invitation of President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Tran Dai Quang, President of the United States of America Donald J. Trump paid a state visit to Hanoi, Vietnam, from November 11 to12, 2017. The two leaders discussed measures to strengthen and expand the Comprehensive Partnership between their two countries based on mutual understanding, shared interests, and a common desire to promote peace, cooperation, prosperity, and security in the Indo-Pacific region. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening ties on the basis of…
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President Trump's Trip to Vietnam
"The United States and Vietnam released a Joint Statement sending a clear message to the region of close and expanding cooperation and coordination between the two nations. The United States and Vietnam reached an agreement for the United States to acquire land in Hanoi to construct a new embassy compound, a tangible example of the growing partnership between the two nations. The two nations concluded a new Three Year Plan of Action for Defense Cooperation, which will increase bilateral naval activities. The United States formally…