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
All Posts
Text
Secretary Ross's Op-Ed in fox Business on US Trade with the Indo-Pacific
"A renewed partnership, a transformative vision. This is what President Donald J. Trump outlined for United States and Indo-Pacific relations almost two years ago in Da Nang, Vietnam, and it is what the United States is championing now at the Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Bangkok, Thailand.
During the second half of a historic trip in 2017 that also featured stops in Japan, South Korea, China and the Philippines, President Trump laid out an optimistic view of future ties between the United States and its partners…
Text
Remarks by President Trump Before Air Force One Departure - China and Hong Kong
"THE PRESIDENT: The stock market continues to do very well. We have very, very strong numbers. We have a lot of artificial numbers from other countries because they’re all devaluing their currencies. They’re really doing things that aren’t very good for their countries, in my opinion. But, short term, it’s very good for their countries. Long term, possibly not.
And we’re not following suit. We have a Fed that decides not to cut interest rates, which is a very bad thing. Because, right now, we…
Text
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Pacific Islands Leaders at Press Availability
"SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you, President Panuelo and President Heine, and Vice President Oilouch. Thank you for the positive, productive meetings today. It is the case, when we flew in, it was absolutely beautiful, and for anyone watching, this is a great place just to come visit. All of them, not just here, but the Marshall Islands as well as Palau. I would encourage everyone to come, bring your family, spend money, and you will be – you will love to meet the wonderful people of…
Text
Secretary Pompeo's Opening Remarks at the Lower Mekong Initiative Ministerial
"SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you, Foreign Minister. I want to thank you, Thailand, for hosting this special ministerial marking a decade of the Lower Mekong Initiative. The United States has been a proud partner for those whole 10 years, and thanks to our work: 340,000 people have access to improved drinking water; 3,800 officials, teachers, and students have been trained in technical English; 27,000 people have access to improved sanitation; and 70 technical teams have supported 45 projects to improve infrastructure sustainability.
These are real achievements…
Text
Interview of Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Secretary of Energy Rick Perry With Brian Sullivan of CNBC - China
"QUESTION: First to you, Secretary Pompeo. You were just talking on stage about China. China would like to develop its own oil and gas assets in many disputed waters. What is the greatest tool that we have got from an energy policy perspective to blunt their growing influence and their desire to capture their own oil and gas in those disputed waters?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So, Brian, thanks for having me on the show. There’s two. One is the rule of law. The fundamental idea that…
Text
Secretary Pompeo's Interview With Karmina Constantino of ABS-CBN - Alliance with the Philippines and North Korea
"QUESTION: Welcome to the Philippines, Mr. Secretary. Thank you for joining us today.
SECRETARY POMPEO: It’s great to be with you. Thank you.
QUESTION: I want to begin with last night. Why the meet with President Duterte? What did you guys talk about?
SECRETARY POMPEO: We talked about the important relationship between our two countries across a broad spectrum. There’s a rich, deep, proud history between the Philippines and the United States. We want to continue that. That’s important for both of our nations’ economies…
Text
Secretary Pompeo's Remarks at the German Marshall Fund - China
"China’s economic development did not lead to an embrace of democracy and regional stability; it led to more political repression and regional provocations. We welcomed China into the liberal order, but never policed its behavior.
China has routinely exploited loopholes in the World Trade Organization rules, imposed market restrictions, forced technology transfers, and stolen intellectual property. And it knows that world opinion is powerless to stop its Orwellian human rights violations. [...]We announced our intent to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change, absent…
Text
President Trump's Remarks Before Marine One Departure - Climate Change and the Indo-Pacific
"Q Mr. President, have you read the climate report yet?
THE PRESIDENT: I’ve seen it, I’ve read some of it, and it’s fine.
Q They say economic impact could be devastating — of climate change.
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah. I don’t believe it.
Q You don’t believe it?
THE PRESIDENT: No. No. I don’t believe it. And here’s the other thing — you’re going to have to have China, and Japan, and all of Asia, and all of these other countries — you know, it —…