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 Korean President Moon
"President Donald J. Trump spoke today with President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea to discuss ongoing efforts to prepare for their upcoming engagements with North Korea. Both leaders affirmed the importance of learning from the mistakes of the past, and pledged continued, close coordination to maintain maximum pressure on the North Korean regime. The two leaders agreed that concrete actions, not words, will be the key to achieving permanent denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and President Trump reiterated his intention to meet with…
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President Trump's Remarks at Gridiron Dinner
"'I won't rule out direct talks with [North Korean Chairman] Kim Jong Un. I just won't. As far as the risk of dealing with a madman is concerned, that's his problem, not mine. ... He must be a fine man. Do you think he's a fine man? ... Although, we did save the Olympics. President Moon gave us a lot of credit, said, 'It was—it was President Trump that made the Olympics successful because there were a lot of people that wanted to go into…
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USTR Lighthizer Statement on KORUS FTA with South Korea's Minister for Trade
"Today, Ambassador Lighthizer and [South Korean] Minister [for Trade Hyun Chong] Kim are pleased to announce that the United States and the Republic of Korea have reached an agreement in principle on the general terms of amendments and modifications to the United States-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). The nations have also agreed on terms for a country exemption for the Republic of Korea from tariffs imposed on steel imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 pursuant to Presidential…
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President Trump's Call with Korean President Moon
"President Donald J. Trump spoke today with President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea to congratulate him on the success of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. President Trump thanked President Moon for his hospitality to the United States Presidential Delegations to the Opening and Closing Ceremonies led by Vice President Mike Pence and Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump, respectively. President Moon briefed President Trump on developments regarding North Korea and inter-Korean talks. President Trump and President Moon noted their firm position that any…
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President Trump's Interview with Judge Jeanine on Fox
"I'm renegotiating trade deals. There are no trade deals ever negotiated that have been bad like the trade deals we've had negotiated whether it's NAFTA, the deal with South Korea, TPP -- I was able to keep us out of that, that would have been a total disaster. The World Trade Organization deal, that's what really led to the emergence of China -- you look at China, they became rich when they made the World Trade Deal. The World Trade Organization, WTO. We have to…
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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…
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Secretary Mattis Remarks on US-South Korea Alliance
"Yes, I know that people are watching for a wedge between South Korea, Republic of Korea, in other words, and the United States. There's no wedge there. They -- staff -- the military staffs are integrated. If you move up to the political level, Admiral Song, Minister of Defense Song, flew into Hawaii when I was out in the Pacific, just so he and I could sit down face to face and consult. He broached it to me. He said -- as a matter of…
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Remarks by Vice President Pence in Press Gaggle at Cheonan Memorial
"The Cheonan ship behind me was subject to a torpedo attack by North Korea in 2010. And while the international community, and even the United Nations, confirmed that North Korea engaged in the attack, as I stand before you today, North Korea still refuses to accept responsibility for sinking this ship and costing 46 lives that we remember today. Last night, with President Moon, we both reaffirmed our commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. And President Moon, as he said publicly, he also…
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Remarks by Vice President Pence and President Moon of the Republic of Korea Before Bilateral Meeting
"Well, thank you President Moon for the warm welcome. I am honored to join you for my first time at the Blue House and my second time, as Vice President of the United States, to the Republic of Korea. [...] For now nearly 70 years, our two nations have been joined together in peace and in prosperity, and in the security of both of our peoples in the Indo-Pacific. And to be able to be here, to be able to share this great moment in…
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Press Gaggle by Vice President Pence
"Well, first and foremost, President Trump asked me to travel to the region for several reasons. Number one, to strengthen the relationship between the United States and our allies in Japan and South Korea. We’ll be meeting in the coming days with Prime Minister Abe, with President Moon, and we’ll be talking about the strength of our alliance. And I look forward to reinforcing the important priority that President Trump and the United States places on the relationship with these two nations. Secondly, we’ll collectively…