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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Joint Statement on Hong Kong
"The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
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We, the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, and the United States Secretary of State, underscore our serious concern at the mass arrests of 55 politicians and activists in Hong Kong for subversion under the National Security Law.
The National Security Law is a clear breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration and undermines the ‘One Country, Two…
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks On the Mass Arrests of Democracy Advocates in Hong Kong
"Today’s arrests of more than 50 politicians and pro-democracy advocates by local authorities in Hong Kong is an outrage, and a reminder of the Chinese Communist Party’s contempt for its own people and the rule of law. Those arrested are guilty of nothing but exercising the democratic rights promised to them by treaty, and due to them through virtue of their humanity. They should be released immediately and unconditionally.
The United States will not stand idly by while the people of Hong Kong suffer under…
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Secretary Pompeo With Jan Jekielek of The Epoch Times’ American Thought Leaders Program - China
"QUESTION: Secretary Mike Pompeo, such a pleasure to have you on American Thought Leaders.
SECRETARY POMPEO: It’s great to be with you. Thanks for the invitation to be here and have this great conversation today.
QUESTION: Well, we’re going to focus on your “distrust and verify” approach to China and on religious freedom as well, since we don’t have a ton of time. I’d love to talk to you about all sorts of things. So in – when you were at – speaking at the…
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Statement from U.S. Secretary Ross on President Trump's Executive Order: "Addressing the Threat Posed by Applications and other Software Developed or Controlled by Chinese Companies"
"Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order (E.O.) titled, “Addressing the Threat Posed by Applications and other Software Developed or Controlled by Chinese Companies.”
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross issued the following statement in response:
"Consistent with the authorities designated to the Secretary of Commerce from the President, I have directed my Department to begin implementing the E.O.’s directives, including identifying prohibited transactions related to certain Chinese connected software applications. I stand with President Trump’s commitment to protecting the privacy and security…
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Executive Order Addressing the Threat Posed By Applications and Other Software Developed or Controlled By Chinese Companies
"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…
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Message to the Congress on Addressing the Threat Posed By Applications and Other Software Developed or Controlled By Chinese Companies
"TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:
Pursuant to 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 hereby report that I have issued an Executive Order declaring additional steps to be taken concerning the national emergency with respect to the information and communications technology and services supply chain declared in Executive Order 13873 of May 15, 2019 (Securing the Information and Communications…
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Secretary Pompeo's Op-Ed on China's Nuclear Arsenal in "Newsweek"
"COVID-19 has taught the world that the Chinese Communist Party’s lies can have vast and terrible consequences. As the United States, our allies and our partners renew calls for transparency about the virus, we also urge Beijing to come clean about another danger: China’s opaque and threatening nuclear weapons buildup.
During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union recognized that arms control served both our countries’ national security. So, we engaged in a series of talks that allowed both sides to understand…
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On the Fate of the “Hong Kong 12”
"Hong Kong was a thriving territory until the Chinese Communist Party and its local lackeys destroyed its rule of law and eviscerated the Hong Kong people’s freedoms. The “Hong Kong 12” who tried to flee this tyranny deserved a hero’s welcome abroad, not capture, a secret trial, and prison sentences. The United States strongly condemns the Shenzhen court’s actions and calls for the ten members of the group who were sentenced to jail terms to be immediately and unconditionally released.
The CCP’s persecution of the…
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On the Silencing and Prosecution of PRC Citizen Journalist Zhang Zhan
"The United States strongly condemns the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) sham prosecution and conviction of citizen journalist Zhang Zhan on December 28. We call on the PRC government to release her immediately and unconditionally. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has shown once again it will do whatever it takes to silence those who question the Party’s official line, even regarding crucial public health information.
Lying is a feature, not a bug of authoritarian regimes. The CCP restricted and manipulated information about the COVID-19 outbreak…
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Protecting U.S. Investors from Financing Communist Chinese Military Companies
"President Trump took decisive action last month to protect American investors and pension holders from funding Communist Chinese military companies (CCMCs) through Executive Order (13959) Addressing the Threat from Securities Investments that Finance Communist Chinese Military Companies. The Trump Administration is coordinating closely to counter the threat these companies present to the economy and national security of the United States.
Today, the Treasury Department noted that Executive Order 13959 prohibits the ownership of any CCMC shares by exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and index funds, as well…
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Commerce Department Will Publish the First Military End User List Naming More Than 100 Chinese and Russian Companies
"The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) will amend the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by adding a new ‘Military End User’ (MEU) List, as well as the first tranche of 103 entities, which includes 58 Chinese and 45 Russian companies. The U.S. Government has determined that these companies are ‘military end users’ for purposes of the ‘military end user’ control in the EAR that applies to specified items for exports, reexports, or transfers (in-country) to the China, Russia, and Venezuela when such items are destined…