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 Japanese Defense Minister Onodera
"Today, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met with Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera on the sidelines of the U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee (SCC) to reaffirm the strength of the U.S.- Japan Alliance. During the meeting, the secretary emphasized that the United States remains steadfast in its ironclad commitment to defend Japan in the face of common threats, such as those posed by North Korea. They also discussed the accelerating implementation of the 2015 Revised Guidelines for Bilateral Defense Cooperation and enhancing Japan's defense capabilities."
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President Trump's Call with Japanese Prime Minister Abe
"President Donald J. Trump spoke today with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan. The two leaders exchanged views on the growing threat from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), including the DPRK’s most recent threats to United States and Japanese territory. President Trump reaffirmed that the United States stands ready to defend and respond to any threat or actions taken by North Korea against the United States or its allies, South Korea and Japan. President Trump and Prime Minister Abe also discussed a range…
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USTR Lighthizer, Japan Foreign Minister Kono Agree to Accelerate Bilateral Trade Engagement
"U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer today met with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono for wide-ranging discussions on strengthening and advancing bilateral trade and economic relations. At the meeting, they discussed work plans to promote the trade agenda under the U.S.-Japan Economic Dialogue, co-chaired by Vice President Mike Pence and Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, and agreed on accelerating discussions to address specific bilateral trade issues as well as to explore approaches to strengthen free and fair trade and promote high trade and investment standards. [...]…
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President Trump's Call with Japanese Prime Minister Abe
"President Donald J. Trump spoke today with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan to address North Korea’s launch of another intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The two leaders agreed that North Korea poses a grave and growing direct threat to the United States, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and other countries near and far. President Trump and Prime Minister Abe committed to increasing economic and diplomatic pressure on North Korea, and to convincing other countries to follow suit. President Trump reaffirmed our ironclad commitment to defend…
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President Trump's Meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Abe
"President Donald J. Trump met today with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan at the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany. The two leaders condemned North Korea’s July 4 launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, which showed that North Korea is a threat to the United States and its allies, and countries around the world. President Trump and Prime Minister Abe affirmed that the international community must address North Korea’s ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs quickly and decisively. President Trump reaffirmed the ironclad commitment of…
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Joint Statement from the United States of America, Republic of Korea, and Japan
"President Donald J. Trump, President Moon Jae-in [of South Korea], and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe [of Japan] met in Hamburg, Germany, on July 6 to discuss the serious and escalating threat posed by the nuclear and ballistic missile programs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The three leaders condemned the DPRK’s unprecedented launch, on July 4, of a ballistic missile with intercontinental range, a major escalation that directly violates multiple United Nation’s Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and that clearly demonstrates the growing threat…
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Secretary Mattis' Call with Japanese Minister of Defense Inada
"Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis spoke by telephone today with Japan Minister of Defense Tomomi Inada to discuss North Korea's test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on July 4. Secretary Mattis and Minister Inada both agreed that this test represents an escalation and unacceptable provocation that undermines regional security and stability. Secretary Mattis underscored the United States' ironclad commitment to defend Japan and provide extended deterrence using the full range of U.S. capabilities. Secretary Mattis and Minister Inada affirmed that the United States and…
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President Trump's Call with Japanese Prime Minister Abe
"President Donald J. Trump spoke this evening with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan. The two leaders exchanged views on the growing threat from North Korea, including their unity with respect to increasing pressure on the regime to change its dangerous path. They reaffirmed that the United States-Japan Alliance stands ready to defend and respond to any threat or action taken by North Korea. President Trump and Prime Minister Abe also discussed a range of other regional and global issues of mutual interest, and noted…
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President Trump's Statement on the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway
"Today marks the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway, the turning point in the Pacific theater during World War II. [...] On June 4, 1942, Americans delivered a devastating blow to the Imperial Japanese Navy. Torpedo Squadrons 8, 6, and 3 made the first wave of attacks on the enemy aircraft carriers. Despite heavy casualties, the American squadrons subjected the carriers to devastating dive-bomber attacks. By the end of the battle, the Americans sank four Japanese fleet carriers—all of which had attacked Pearl Harbor—and…
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USTR Lighthizer Meets with Japanese Trade Minister
"U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer this afternoon met with Japanese Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko to discuss U.S.-Japan trade relations and cooperation against trade-distorting practices by third countries. In their meeting, Ambassador Lighthizer stressed the importance of addressing the bilateral trade imbalance, given the very high and decades-long U.S. goods trade deficit with Japan. He additionally underscored how both countries can effectively utilize the U.S.-Japan Economic Dialogue. Both sides also stressed the importance of further deepening enforcement cooperation to address unfair practices…
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President Trump's Meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Abe
"President Donald J. Trump met today with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan in Taormina, Italy, before the start of the G7 Summit. In the wake of the horrific terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena in the United Kingdom, the two leaders reaffirmed their shared resolve to cooperate to the fullest extent possible to counter terrorist threats. The President said the United States will work with Japan and the Republic of Korea, as well as our other allies and partners around the world, to increase…
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Vice President Pence's Remarks at US Chamber of Commerce's Invest in America Summit - Indo-Pacific
"In fact, just last month I traveled to the Asia Pacific on the President’s behalf to promote our economic relationships with South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, and Australia. And at the President’s direction, together with Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, I had the privilege of announcing a new U.S.-Japan Economic Dialogue. We look forward to this dialogue, to seeing it progress, and to exploring ways that we can begin similar discussions with other nations around the world, including many of those gathered here."
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