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.

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Republic of Korea National Day

"On behalf of the Government of the United States and the American people, I extend best wishes to the Republic of Korea and Koreans everywhere on the occasion of their National Day.

The enduring strength of our alliance is a force for the advancement of democracy, prosperity, and freedom in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world. We celebrate the shared values, people-to-people ties, and long-standing friendship that make up the strong bond between our two countries and form the foundation of our work together…

Remarks by President Trump in Press Briefing - China

"Q Thank you, Mr. President. Larry Kudlow said that there’s a routine check-in call with China on the phase one trade deal. My question is: What if they bring up TikTok and also WeChat? Would you enga- — would you instruct your team to engage them on that executive order you just signed?

THE PRESIDENT: No, we have a deadline of September 15th. And whether it’s Microsoft, I understand — and others are negotiating — we also said that, obviously, it’s worthless if we don’t…

Vice President Pence Meets with Farmers in Des Moines, Iowa - China

Secretary Pompeo: "Securing Freedom in the Heart of Europe" - China

"SECRETARY POMPEO: [...] Today an even greater threat is the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party and its campaigns of coercion and control. In your country alone, we see influence campaigns against your politicians and your security forces; we see the theft of industrial data that you have created through your innovation and creativity; we see the use of economic levels[1] to stifle freedom itself.

It’s not tanks and guns. It’s very different from that. The CCP initiates retaliation against innocent parties when…

Secretary Pompeo With Martin Reznicek of Czech TV - China

"QUESTION: You have come here to confront Russia and China gaining a foothold in this part of the world, in Central and Eastern Europe. Are you seeing enough courage among Czech politicians to join you in this endeavor?

SECRETARY POMPEO: Well, it’s great to be here. I came here really to celebrate the relationship between the United States and the Czech Republic. We’ve worked on Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria together, all of these places where freedom-loving people have beaten back challenges. We certainly talked about today’s…

Secretary Pompeo With Matt Schlapp, Chairman of the American Conservative Union for CPAC - China

"QUESTION: So it’s like a mirror image when I think of the communist government of China. In America, what you’re saying is our foreign policy is – one of the foundations of it is making sure that we have a vibrant free market economy. China is really involved in business too; the difference is the communist government seems to own all these state-owned enterprises and these big corporate entities in their country. Give us your perspective about how their system is so much different and…

Secretary Pompeo With Sean Spicer of Newsmax TV’s Spicer & Co

"QUESTION: You bet. Before I get into the questions, I just want to say I think there’s three groups in America when it comes to politicians: people who have their head in the sand when it comes to China, people who talk a good game, and people who are willing to do what it takes to fight China. You are in that later category, and I want to make sure viewers understand for too long we’ve heard people talk about China; you’re finally doing something…

Joint Statement on the Erosion of Rights in Hong Kong

"We the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, and the United States Secretary of State are gravely concerned by the Hong Kong government’s unjust disqualification of candidates and disproportionate postponement of Legislative Council elections. These moves have undermined the democratic process that has been fundamental to Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity.

We express deep concern at Beijing’s imposition of the new National Security Law, which is eroding the Hong Kong people’s fundamental rights and liberties.

We support the legitimate expectations…

The United States Designates Individuals in Hong Kong for Curtailing Promised Freedoms

"The Chinese Communist Party has made clear that Hong Kong will never again enjoy the high degree of autonomy that Beijing itself promised to the Hong Kong people and the United Kingdom for 50 years. President Trump has made clear that the United States will therefore treat Hong Kong as “one country, one system,” and take action against individuals who have crushed the Hong Kong people’s freedoms.

Today, the United States designates 11 individuals pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13936. These individuals include Carrie Lam…

Singapore National Day

"On behalf of the Government of the United States and the American people, I congratulate and extend our warm regards to the people of Singapore as you celebrate your National Day.

Singapore is a longstanding partner and friend of the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, and since the establishment of diplomatic relations between us, we have nurtured and enjoyed a close economic and security relationship. Our shared values of stability, prosperity, and the rule of law continue to anchor our dynamic and growing cooperation…

Executive Order on Addressing the Threat Posed by WeChat

"By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code,

I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, find that additional steps must be taken to deal with the national emergency with respect to the information and communications technology and services…