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.

Methodology

All Posts

Secretary Pompeo Opening Remarks at Quad Ministerial

"SECRETARY POMPEO: Great, thank you. Good evening, everyone. Foreign Minister Motegi, thank you so much for hosting us, the second meeting of the Quad foreign ministers. I personally appreciate your hospitality. I know my whole team does.

Foreign Minister Payne, Foreign Minister Jaishankar, it’s great to be with you all again. So glad we could all meet here in Tokyo so soon after the new Suga administration has taken office. I’m confident that we can build on the good work of former Prime Minister Abe…

Secretary Pompeo’s Quad Meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi, Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar, and Australian Foreign Minister Payne

"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, and Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne to reaffirm collective Quad efforts to advance a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. In regard to responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, the participants discussed ways to deepen cooperation to create resilient supply chains, promote transparency, counter disinformation, and advance shared efforts to support a post-pandemic recovery.

The participants also reviewed recent strategic developments across the Indo-Pacific and…

Remarks by President Trump in Press Briefing - India

"Q During the conventions, Kimberly and Don Jr. had the outreach — the Indian American community — with a video called “Four More Years” for you, which has gone viral among the Indian Americans in the battleground states.

So my question is: Would Kimberly, Don Jr., and Ivanka Trump, who are very popular among Indian Americans — would be campaigning on your behalf around the Indian Americans with your views on the India and U.S. relationship?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I — I didn’t understand everything…

Secretary of Defense Remarks for the Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the End of World War II

"Today, in the face of new challenges to this free and open order, we are working to build an even broader coalition of partners – one that includes both longtime friends and former adversaries – to protect the hard-fought gains of generations past and present…especially in the Pacific. We share an important goal – defending the sacred principles that benefit us all: democracy, liberty, sovereignty, human rights, mutual respect, and the rule of law.

To do so, we continue to forge new partnerships and…

Secretary Michael R. Pompeo at a Press Availability

"On the multilateral front further, I look forward to seeing my ASEAN and Indo-Pacific counterparts next week at a host of virtual meetings.

We’ll have discussions that will be wide-ranging, including on COVID, North Korea, South China Sea, Hong Kong, and Burma’s Rakhine State.

I’ll also raise how the Trump administration is restoring reciprocity to the U.S.-China relationship. And today we continue that necessary work.

For years, the Chinese Communist Party has imposed significant barriers on American diplomats working inside the PRC.

Specifically, the Chinese…

On the Passing of Former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee

"The United States is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee. In a distinguished career spanning more than half a century, President Mukherjee worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of India as a parliamentarian, cabinet minister, and as President of the world’s largest democracy. His visionary leadership helped drive India’s rise as a global power and paved the way for a stronger U.S.-India partnership.

President Mukherjee’s many accomplishments resulted in a more prosperous and secure India. As Minister…

Secretary Esper's Remarks at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies 25th Anniversary Speaker Event

Secretary Michael R. Pompeo’s Call with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar

"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today with Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar to discuss ongoing bilateral and multilateral cooperation on issues of international concern, including efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, support the peace process in Afghanistan, and address recent destabilizing actions in the region. Secretary Pompeo and Minister Jaishankar reiterated the strength of the United States-India relationship to advance peace, prosperity, and security in the Indo-Pacific and around the globe. Both leaders agreed to continue close cooperation on a…

Secretary Pompeo on State Department Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Request - Indo-Pacific

Secretary Pompeo With Michael Knowles of The Ben Shapiro Show - China

"QUESTION: So, Secretary Pompeo, we have been kind of inwardly focused, I think, over the last few months. And yet, as this Chinese coronavirus has caused us all to look inward, China itself is aggressing around the world. They more or less invaded part of India just a little while ago, killed Indian soldiers; in the South China Sea there have been threats to the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, flying over Taiwan, threatening of Japan. It seems that China is getting aggressive. What does it mean…

IISS Special Presentation with Secretary Esper - US Indo-Pacific Policy

Secretary Pompeo at a Press Availability -

"SECRETARY POMPEO: [...] Yesterday President Trump signed the Hong Kong Autonomy Act and announced a series of actions through a presidential executive order.

As he said in May, if China treats Hong Kong as one country and a single system, so must we.

General Secretary Xi Jinping made a choice to violate the Chinese Communist Party’s promises to Hong Kong in – that were made in a UN-registered treaty. He didn’t have to do that; he made that choice.

We have to deal with China…