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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Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate - China's Actions Towards Hong Kong
"Dear Madam Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) and the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), I hereby report I have issued an Executive Order (the “order”) that declares a national emergency with respect to the recent actions taken by the People’s Republic of China to fundamentally undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy. The order further declares that Hong Kong is no longer sufficiently autonomous to justify differential treatment in relation to the…
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The President’s Executive Order on Hong Kong Normalization
"By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-393), the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 (Public Law 116-76), the Hong Kong Autonomy Act of 2020, signed into law July 14, 2020, 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.) (NEA), section 212(f) of the Immigration…
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Statement by the President - Hong Kong Autonomy Act
"Today, I have signed into law H.R. 7440, the “Hong Kong Autonomy Act” (the “Act”). The Act addresses China’s failure to meet certain obligations under the Sino-British Joint Declaration. I note, however, that the requirements for a waiver or termination of sanctions under section 8 of the Act could limit my discretion under Article II of the Constitution to conduct the Nation’s foreign affairs. In such circumstances, my Administration will treat these limitations as advisory and non-binding. In addition, my Administration will treat the requirement…
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U.S. Position on Maritime Claims in the South China Sea
"The United States champions a free and open Indo-Pacific. Today we are strengthening U.S. policy in a vital, contentious part of that region — the South China Sea. We are making clear: Beijing’s claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful, as is its campaign of bullying to control them.
In the South China Sea, we seek to preserve peace and stability, uphold freedom of the seas in a manner consistent with international law, maintain the unimpeded flow of…
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2020 Singapore General Election
"The United States congratulates the people of Singapore on the country’s 13th general election on July 10 and congratulates Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong and the People’s Action Party on their victory.
The United States and Singapore have enjoyed more than 50 years of valuable partnership since we established diplomatic relations in 1966. Our friendship is deeply rooted in our shared values and a common desire for peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. We look forward to working with the newly elected…
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Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Between the United States and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
"July 11 marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Over the last quarter century, our two countries have built a partnership and friendship founded on shared interests, mutual respect, and people-to-people ties. Our everyday interactions are highlighted by increasing trade and investment ties, strategic cooperation, and collaboration on humanitarian and legacy of war issues, including the solemn duty of accounting for our wartime missing. In recent years, we have strengthened and…
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Secretary Michael Pompeo At a Press Briefing on Current U.S. Foreign Policy - Indo-Pacific
"SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you. Look, I’ll be very brief because I want to take as many questions as I can. Thank you all for joining me on the call today. I know there’s – be a wide range of questions that will span the entire security situation all across the globe. I thought I’d highlight just a couple things.
First, the challenge that is presented to the people of Hong Kong who have been denied the central commitments that the Chinese Communist Party had made…
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Kiribati National Day
"On behalf of the Government of the United States, I congratulate the people of Kiribati as you celebrate your National Day on July 12.
The hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic have proven a challenge for us all. As we adapt to a changed world and shape its future for the better, we look forward to working with partners such as Kiribati that have long shared our core values of democracy, human rights, and respect for all. Our 1983 Treaty of Friendship, which dates to the…
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The United States Imposes Sanctions and Visa Restrictions in Response to the Ongoing Human Rights Violations and Abuses in Xinjiang
"The United States will not stand idly by as the CCP carries out human rights abuses targeting Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs, and members of other minority groups in Xinjiang, to include forced labor, arbitrary mass detention, and forced population control, and attempts to erase their culture and Muslim faith.
I am designating three senior CCP officials under Section 7031(c) of the FY 2020 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, for their involvement in gross violations of human rights: Chen Quanguo, the Party…
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Mongolia National Day
"On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I extend my best wishes to the people of Mongolia on the opening of the Naadam festival on July 11.
As strategic partners and Third Neighbors, the United States and Mongolia enjoy a strong partnership bound by common interests, shared democratic values, and respect for human rights and the rule of law.
On this occasion for celebration, I wish the people of Mongolia a wonderful Naadam."
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Secretary Pompeo at a Press Availability - China
"SECRETARY POMPEO: [...] I want to start today with the Chinese Communist Party.
As with all unelected, communist regimes, Beijing fears its own people’s free thinking more than any foreign foe.
We were deeply troubled to learn this week that the CCP detained Xu Zhangrun for criticizing General Secretary Xi Jinping’s repressive regime and the CCP’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic. He should be released. He was simply telling the truth. He should be released as soon as possible.
I’ll repeat a theme I’ve been…
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Five Years of Injustice Following China’s 709 Crackdown
"On July 9, five years ago the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a nationwide offensive targeting hundreds of defense lawyers and human rights defenders for detention, interrogation, and politically motivated criminal charges. The “709” crackdown, named for the date it began on July 9, 2015, was designed to intimidate a generation of lawyers and activists from representing or assisting anyone the CCP perceives as a threat to its absolute power. It showed the world what it means to govern via “rule by law,” rather than…