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 Pompeo’s Meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Phuc
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Hanoi, Vietnam. Secretary Pompeo expressed condolences over the loss of life due to significant flooding as a result of Tropical Storm Linfa and Typhoon Molave and was pleased to announce an additional $2 million in USAID assistance to support response efforts, bringing total funding from the U.S. Government to more than $2.1 million to date. The Secretary congratulated the Prime Minister on Vietnam’s superb chairmanship of ASEAN during a…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Vietnamese Minister for Public Security Lam
"Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo met today with Vietnamese Minister for Public Security To Lam in Hanoi, Vietnam. Secretary Pompeo and Minister Lam emphasized the importance of growing bilateral security cooperation in the Mekong region and the benefits that a strengthened U.S. – Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership can bring to both of our nations."
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Unalienable Rights and Traditions of Tolerance
"SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you for that kind introduction. Selamat siang to you all.
Mr. General Secretary, it is wonderful to be here. I have been looking forward to this since the day that we found a date that worked and were able to accept the invitation. It was most gracious of you to invite me here and I am ecstatic to be part of this event today.
I want to make sure and thank all the people who made this happen. I want to thank…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today in Jakarta, Indonesia, with Indonesian President Joko Widodo. They discussed ways the United States and Indonesia can work together to promote a prosperous, secure, and democratic Indo-Pacific region, as well as strategies for building stronger economic ties between our two countries. Secretary Pompeo and President Joko Widodo also reviewed recent security developments across the Indo-Pacific and discussed ways to enhance cooperation on maritime security, supply chains, and post-pandemic economic recovery."
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Secretary Pompeo And Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi
"SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you very much. Madam Minister, thank you. Hello, everyone. It’s great to see you again, and it’s wonderful to be back here in Indonesia. I visited here early in my tenure as Secretary of State, but once was certainly not enough. Good to be back. It was important for me to return to keep strengthening this foundational, pivotal relationship in Southeast Asia.
And Madam Minister, I want to say to you how much I’ve appreciated your engagement on the Afghanistan peace process…
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On the Loss of Life Due to Significant Flooding in Central Vietnam
"The Government of the United States expresses its deepest condolences to the Government and people of Vietnam as they mourn those who perished due to significant flooding in the central region of Vietnam as a result of Tropical Storm Linfa. The U.S. government stands ready to assist Vietnam in addressing the damage caused by the floods, and we send our deepest sympathies to all affected by this tragedy, including the many thousands who were displaced."
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U.S. Announces Humanitarian Assistance at the International Conference on Sustaining Support for the Rohingya Refugee Response
"Today, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) conducted a virtual conference on Sustaining International Support for the Rohingya Refugee Response. The United States announced nearly $200 million in additional humanitarian assistance provided in Fiscal Year 2020 for Rohingya refugees, host communities in Bangladesh and other countries in the region, and internally displaced Rohingya and other crisis-affected communities in Burma, including those who fled ethnic cleansing in Rakhine State.
The United States remains the most generous financial…
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Joint Press Statement of the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
"We are grateful to all who have participated in today’s conference, including those who announced or pledged funding for the international humanitarian response, those who are supporting members of the Rohingya communities in other ways — not least by hosting them — and most importantly, representatives of Rohingya communities themselves.
The situation in the region remains an acute humanitarian and human rights crisis more than three years after the August 2017 violence, which caused hundreds of thousands of Rohingya people to flee their homes…
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Joint Statement Regarding Secretary Esper's Meeting With Indonesian Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto
"Today, Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper met with Indonesian Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto at the Pentagon to discuss regional security, bilateral defense priorities, and defense acquisitions. Secretary Esper communicated the importance of upholding human rights, the rule of law, and professionalization as the two countries expand their engagement. Minister Subianto expressed the importance of military engagement at all levels, and communicated his appreciation for the United States' support for Indonesia’s defense modernization. Both leaders shared their desire to enhance bilateral military-to-military activities…
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Secretary Pompeo with Yoshio Arima of NHK - Indo-Pacific
"QUESTION: But during this very serious moment, you are visiting Japan, far away from White House. So why is that important? What is such important issues you have to talk with allies here in Tokyo?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So there were two reasons I needed to be here today. The first is I wanted to extend my congratulations and greetings to Prime Minister Suga, talk to him about the important bilateral relationship between our countries. We have a long, warm, historic relationship between the people of…
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USTR Initiates Vietnam Section 301 Investigation
At the direction of President Donald J. Trump, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is initiating an investigation addressing two significant issues with respect to Vietnam. USTR will investigate Vietnam’s acts, policies, and practices related to the import and use of timber that is illegally harvested or traded, and will investigate Vietnam’s acts, policies, and practices that may contribute to the undervaluation of its currency and the resultant harm caused to U.S. commerce. USTR will conduct the investigation under Section 301 of the…