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 Interview with Reuters - Missile Defense Systems
[When asked about accelerating missile defense systems for Japan and South Korea] "There's talks of a lot more than that. We’ll see what happens. But it’s a very dangerous situation, and China can end it very quickly in my opinion. ... It’s one of many things that can be done. Missile defense is one of many things that can be done.”
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President Trump's Meeting with Manufacturing CEOs at the White House - China
"With China, we have close to a $500-billion trade deficit. So we have to do something. I spoke to the President, I spoke to many people. We’re going to work on that very, very hard, and we’re going to do things that are the proper things to do. [...] And 70,000 factories closed since China joined the WTO -- 70,000 factories. So when I used to give that statistic, I used to talk about and I always thought it was a typo. I said, it…
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Vice President Pence’s Meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Bishop
"Vice President Mike Pence met today with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop at the White House. The two reaffirmed the strong alliance between the United States and Australia and committed to maintaining the close ties of friendship between our two countries. The Vice President thanked the Foreign Minister for Australia’s multifaceted partnership with the United States around the globe. The Vice President and Foreign Minister exchanged views on shared concerns, including growing threats to peace and security from North Korea and ISIS."
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Secretary Tillerson's Phone Call with Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi
"Today, United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spoke by phone with Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi. Secretary Tillerson and State Councilor Yang affirmed the importance of a constructive bilateral relationship. The two sides agreed on the need to address the threat that North Korea poses to regional stability. The Secretary and State Councilor also discussed economics and trade, and potential cooperation on counterterrorism, law enforcement and transnational crime."
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Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Singaporean Minister of Defense Dr. Ng Eng Hen
"Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met yesterday with Singaporean Minister of Defence Ng Eng Hen on the margins of the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany on Friday. The secretary and the minister of defence affirmed the long standing security partnership between the United States and Singapore. They discussed a range mutual security interests, including cooperation on maritime security and countering violent extremism from terrorist organizations such as ISIS. The secretary expressed appreciation for Singapore hosting U.S. forces and emphasized the importance of its contributions…
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Secretary Mattis' Bilateral Meeting with Australian Minister of Defence Payne
"Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met yesterday with Australian Minister for Defence Marise Payne on the margins of the C-ISIS ministerial in Brussels. This was the first meeting between an Australian cabinet official and a member of the U.S. administration. The secretary expressed his admiration of the high-performing troops of the Australian Armed Forces, and he thanked the minister for the Australian military and people for being long-term and great allies and friends of the United States. The two leaders discussed efforts to defeat ISIS…
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Secretary Tillerson's Meeting with Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China Wang Yi
"Today, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met for the first time with Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China Wang Yi. Secretary Tillerson and Minister Wang noted the recent call between leaders and discussed efforts to advance bilateral cooperation while addressing differences in a constructive manner. Secretary Tillerson also highlighted the increasing threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs and urged China to use all available tools to moderate North Korea’s destabilizing behavior. The two also discussed the need to create a…
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U.S.-ROK-Japan Foreign Ministerial Joint Statement on the Situation in North Korea
"Today the U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, Yun Byung-se, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Fumio Kishida, met in Bonn. The Ministers condemned in the strongest terms North Korea’s February 12, 2017 ballistic missile test, noting North Korea’s flagrant disregard for multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions that expressly prohibit its ballistic missile and nuclear programs.
Secretary Tillerson reiterated that the United States remains steadfast in its defense commitments to its allies…
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Secretary Tillerson's Phone Call with Indian External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swara
"External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had a telephone conversation on February 15, 2017.The External Affairs Minister and Secretary Tillerson resolved to work together closely to further expand and deepen the multi-faceted strategic partnership between India and the US. They emphasized that close and strong relations between India and the US were not only in mutual interest but also had regional and global significance. In this context, they agreed to intensify cooperation in various sectors, including defence and…
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Secretary Tillerson's Phone Call with Indian External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj
"External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had a telephone conversation on February 15, 2017.The External Affairs Minister and Secretary Tillerson resolved to work together closely to further expand and deepen the multi-faceted strategic partnership between India and the US. They emphasized that close and strong relations between India and the US were not only in mutual interest but also had regional and global significance. In this context, they agreed to intensify cooperation in various sectors, including defence and…
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Joint Statement from President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Abe
"The two leaders affirmed the commitment of the United States and Japan to the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, to ensure the long-term, sustainable presence of U.S. forces. They affirmed that the United States and Japan are committed to the plan to construct the Futenma Replacement Facility at the Camp Schwab/Henoko area and in adjacent waters. It is the only solution that avoids the continued use of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. [...] The two leaders affirmed that Article V of the U.S.-Japan Treaty…