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
Text
Remarks Before Meeting With Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi
"SECRETARY TILLERSON: Foreign Minister Wang Yi, thank you so much for traveling to New York and in particular participating in this morning’s very important session at the Security Council. I appreciated very much your remarks, and I appreciate the constructive way in which China has engaged with the United States to address the challenges on the Korean peninsula that are common to both of us.
We also appreciate the early relations that we are establishing with the visit of President Xi to Mar-a-Lago. Our two…
Text
President Trump's Interview with Reuters - China and North Korea
"He [Chinese President Xi Jinping] certainly doesn't want to see turmoil and death [in North Korea]. He doesn't want to see it. He's a good man. He's a very good man and I got to know him very well ...We'll see how it all works out. I know he would like to be able to do something. Perhaps it's possible that he can't. But I think he'd like to be able to do something."
Text
President Trump's Interview with Reuters - South Korea
"On the THAAD system, it's about a billion dollars. I said, 'Why are we paying? Why are we paying a billion dollars? We're protecting. Why are we paying a billion dollars?' So I informed South Korea it would be appropriate if they paid. Nobody's going to do that. Why are we paying a billion dollars? It's a billion dollar system. It's phenomenal. It's the most incredible equipment you've ever seen - shoots missiles right out of the sky. And it protects them and I want…
Text
Secretary Mattis' Joint Statement with Secretary of State Tillerson and Director of National Intelligence Coats
"Past efforts have failed to halt North Korea’s unlawful weapons programs and nuclear and ballistic missile tests. With each provocation, North Korea jeopardizes stability in Northeast Asia and poses a growing threat to our allies and the U.S. homeland. North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear weapons is an urgent national security threat and top foreign policy priority. Upon assuming office, President Trump ordered a thorough review of U.S. policy pertaining to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). [...] We are engaging responsible members of the…
Text
Press Briefing by Secretary Ross - India
"Well, the U.S. does not have a free-trade agreement with India at this point, so the trade relations between the U.S. and India are governed by the WTO rules. There’s nothing in the actions we’ve taken that changes that. [...] but there’s no inherent negative attitude on our part relating to that."
Text
President Trump's Call with Chinese President Xi
"President Donald J. Trump spoke yesterday with President Xi Jinping of China to address issues regarding North Korea. President Trump criticized North Korea’s continued belligerence and emphasized that Pyongyang’s actions are destabilizing the Korean Peninsula. The two leaders reaffirmed the urgency of the threat posed by North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs, and committed to strengthen coordination in achieving the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."
Text
Vice President Pence Remarks on North Korea
“While all options are on the table, let me assure you the US will continue to work closely with Australian and our other allies in the region, and with China, to bring economic and diplomatic pressure to bear on the regime in Pyongyang until they abandon their nuclear and ballistic missile program. But if China is unable to deal with North Korea, the United States and our allies will.”
Text
Readout of the Vice President’s Meetings with Australian Officials
"In addition to his meeting and press conference with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Vice President Mike Pence met today with Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, and Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove in Sydney, Australia. In his meetings, the Vice President underscored the United States’ unwavering commitment to the U.S.-Australia alliance and to the broader Asia-Pacific region. Vice President Pence conveyed the United States’ sincere appreciation for Australia’s significant contributions to Afghanistan and to defeating ISIS. He…
Text
Vice President Pence on US Refugee Deal with Australia
"President Trump has made it clear that we'll honor the agreement — that doesn't mean we admire the agreement.[ When asked if the Trump administration will uphold the refugee resettlement agreement that was agreed to under President Obama with Australia where refugees being held in Australian detention camps in Nauru and Papua New Guinea will come to the US."
Text
Remarks by the Vice President and Indonesian President Widodo to the Press
"I know I’m the first member of President Trump’s administration to visit Southeast Asia, and the President sent me here — sent me here as a sign of the high value the United States places on our strategic partnership with Indonesia. As the second and third largest democracies in the world, our two countries share many common values — including freedom, the rule of law, human rights, and religious diversity. [...] American companies have been doing business in Indonesia for years, and American products and…
Text
Readout of the Vice President’s Meeting with Interfaith Religious Leaders in Southeast Asia
Vice President Mike Pence participated in an interfaith dialogue with faith leaders of Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Confucianism at the conclusion of his tour of the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia. Vice President Pence expressed appreciation to Indonesia for its shared commitment to religious freedom and reaffirmed that the United States will continue to defend this fundamental freedom, at home and abroad.