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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Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Indonesian Minister of Defense Ryamizard
"On October 25, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met with Indonesian Minister of Defense Ryamizard Ryacudu on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Clark, Pampanga, Republic of the Philippines. The two leaders exchanged views on regional security and emphasized the need for continued ASEAN centrality and cooperation to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific that safeguards the rules-based international order. The Secretary shared Minister Ryamizard’s concerns regarding violent extremism, particularly the threat posed by ISIS and other terrorist organizations. The two…
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Remarks to Airmen at Minot Air Force Base by Vice President Pence
"In the face of ongoing threats and provocations by the regime in North Korea, I can assure you the United States will continue to marshal economic and diplomatic pressure to demand that North Korea abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. President Trump has made clear that the United States has, in his words, 'great strength and patience,' all options are on the table. Our enemies should never doubt the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the United States of America. Anyone who would threaten…
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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determination on Aluminum Foil from the People’s Republic of China
"Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the affirmative preliminary determination in this antidumping duty (AD) investigation, finding that exporters of aluminum foil from the People’s Republic of China (China) sold their product at prices that resulted in preliminary dumping margins of 96.81 percent to 162.24 percent to be applied, based on factual evidence provided by the interested parties using the Department’s standard non-market economy dumping methodology."
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Joint Statement from Secretary Ross and Minister Prabhu on the U.S.-India Commercial Dialogue
"On October 27, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Minister of Commerce and Industry Suresh Prabhu met to discuss the U.S.-India commercial relationship and launch their first session of the U.S.-India Commercial Dialogue. Upon noting the impressive three-fold increase in total U.S.-India trade since 2005, both sides affirmed the significant strategic and economic importance of the U.S.-India relationship in promoting joint economic growth, job creation, and prosperity. While highlighting many areas of progress, both principals also noted the need to lower barriers and committed to…
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Joint News Conference with Secretary Mattis and South Korean Defense Minister Song
"I'm here to underscore America's priority commitment for a bilateral alliance, and make clear the Trump administration's full commitment to the United Nations mission for the defense of your democracy, standing as it does as a bedrock countering DPRK's efforts to destabilize this region and be a threat to the world. [...] The United States stands by its commitments, and we stand with our allies. The people of this thriving democracy [South Korea], our alliance is a testimonial to our mutual commitment and respect.[...] North…
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Remarks by Secretary Mattis and Korean Defense Minister Song at the DMZ [Demilitarized Zone], South Korea
"And I'm here today to reaffirm the United States' ironclad commitment to the South Korean people. This visit today to this demilitarized zone portrays in very strong terms the difference we see between two nations. To the south lies a vibrant country, a vibrant economy, a free country, and it's underpinned by peace-loving members of a free society. Behind me to the north, an oppressive regime that shackles its people, denying their freedom, their welfare and their human dignity in pursuit of nuclear weapons in…
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USTR Lighthizer Statement on the US-India Bilateral Trade Policy Forum
"'Our work under the Trade Policy Forum focused on achieving progress towards a more balanced trade relationship. U.S.-India trade has grown significantly in the last few years and has the potential to span every sector of the economy. To increase reciprocal trade, we will continue to seek to identify and address trade barriers related to goods, including manufactured and agriculture, services and intellectual property rights. The U.S. objective is to increase trade flows between our two countries and to decrease our bilateral trade deficit. I…
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Department of Commerce Investigates China and Taiwan
"Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the initiation of new antidumping duty (AD) investigations to determine whether imports of forged steel fittings from China, Italy and Taiwan are being dumped in the United States, and a countervailing duty (CVD) investigation to determine whether producers of forged steel fittings in China are receiving alleged unfair subsidies."
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Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Indian Minister of Defence Sitharaman
"Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met with Indian Minister of Defence Nirmala Sitharaman October 25 on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines. Both agreed on the importance of a rules-based international order in which all nations are able to prosper, and the need to work together against the common threat of terrorism. The two discussed a range of initiatives to strengthen U.S.-India defense cooperation and enhance India’s leadership role in the Indo-Pacific. In particular, the two emphasized the…
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Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Lorenzana
"Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met Oct. 24 with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) convened in Clark, the Philippines. The two leaders discussed the depth and breadth of the U.S.-Philippines relationship, including the enduring people-to-people ties between the two nations. Secretary Mattis reaffirmed the United States' ironclad commitment to the U.S.-Philippines Alliance and the importance of strengthening defense capabilities through regular bilateral training and exercises. Secretary Mattis and Secretary Lorenzana exchanged views on…
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President Trump's Call with Chinese President Xi
"President Donald J. Trump spoke today with President Xi Jinping of China, on the occasion of the closing of China’s Party Congress, to welcome continued cooperation of the two countries in the years ahead. President Trump told President Xi he looks forward to visiting China in early November, and to advancing joint efforts to denuclearize North Korea."