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.

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Secretary Pompeo With Amy Kellogg of FOX News - China

"QUESTION: But let me ask you how it went. You’re fresh from the Vatican. How did it go this morning with the cardinals? What progress did you make?

SECRETARY POMPEO: Look, we had a constructive discussion. We have a shared objective. The Chinese Communist Party is behaving in ways that are reminiscent of what’s only happened in centuries past in terms of human rights violations. We’ve watched them oppress not only Muslim Uyghurs but Christians, Catholics, Falun Gong, people of all faiths. I know that…

Secretary Pompeo and Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio at a Press Availability - China

"[SECRETARY POMPEO:] Recovering from the virus should also mean accountability for the Chinese Communist Party, as I urged today, and its blatant cover-up attempts that have led to the deaths of more than 1 million people, and an enormous loss – trillions of dollars of economic wealth – and the terrible situation it’s put ordinary families all across the world.

To that end, the foreign minister and I had a long conversation about the United States concerns that the Chinese Communist Party is trying to…

Secretary Pompeo's Remarks on China During a Meeting with State Legislatures in Wisconsin

"As Americans across the country were dealing with the pandemic that was released from Wuhan, they’ve been worried about their lives, their livelihoods. Senator Roth got an email from Wu Ting, a person who was in the consul at China’s consulate in Chicago – it landed in his email inbox.

Ms. Wu stated that she was “responsible for China-Wisconsin relations.”

The email included a draft resolution that she asked the Senator to pass – in this chamber – praising China’s response to the coronavirus.

I…

Secretary Pompeo With Leeron Brummel of National Communications Network - China

"QUESTION: Ah, 400 (inaudible). Interesting. Part of that, as you said, is helping the interests of the U.S. Government and the Guyana Government in terms of what opportunities we have looking at Guyana’s emerging energy sector as well. Have discussions been held with the private sector agencies or stakeholders, and how are we looking – how do we intend to have a discussion on accessing markets?

SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah. So I talk to American private sector leaders all the time. I consider it part of…

Secretary Pompeo And Suriname President Chandrikapersad “Chan” Santokhi At a Press Availability - China

"QUESTION: That’s a good idea. Mr. President, thank you. I wanted to ask you if you think that there is a competition between the United States and China here in Suriname and more broadly in the region. Did Secretary Pompeo make a convincing case to choose American companies as you go forward with your economic development, and do you feel that there is a choice that you have to make between the two countries, the United States and China? Thanks very much.

SECRETARY POMPEO: Mr…

The Mekong-U.S. Partnership: The Mekong Region Deserves Good Partners

"The launch of the Mekong-U.S. Partnership reflects the importance of the Mekong region to the United States. Our relationship with Mekong partner countries is an integral part of our Indo-Pacific vision and our strategic partnership with ASEAN. With more than $150 million in initial investments in regional programs, we will build on the good work of the Lower Mekong Initiative and the $3.5 billion in regional U.S. assistance during the last eleven years.

The Mekong-U.S. Partnership is committed to the autonomy, economic independence, good governance…

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

"QUESTION: I’m speaking with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. So I know we’re kind of jumping around the globe here. What is the administration’s view on China policy these days? Obviously, the United States has taken a very negative view of how China has been expanding its authority. We’re seeing U.S. companies continue to stick with the Chinese Government. Are there going to be restrictions on what U.S. companies can do in China coming sometime in the near future given the fact that you can…

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…

Secretary Pompeo At a Press Availability on the Release of the 2019 Country Reports on Terrorism

"SECRETARY POMPEO: Good morning, everyone. Good to be with you all today. I want to start my remarks, as I often do, on matters relating to China.

As many of you saw, I met with Yang Jiechi last week in Hawaii.

We had a very frank discussion about the Chinese Communist Party’s unprovoked aggression on a number of fronts and I pressed him for more transparency on COVID for the good of the world.

We’re concerned by Beijing’s behavior and we’re not the only ones…

U.S. Trade Representative on 2020 Trade Policy Agenda - Senate Hearing

New Nasdaq Restrictions Affecting Listing of Chinese Companies

"The Trump Administration is committed to ensuring that all American businesses and investors can operate on a level playing field with the rest of the world. As part of this ongoing effort, I applaud Nasdaq for requiring auditing firms to ensure all listed companies comply with international reporting and inspection standards.

Nasdaq’s announcement is particularly important given a pattern of fraudulent accounting practices in China-based companies. To protect American investors and U.S. national security, President Trump moved to stop the investment of U.S. federal employee…

The United States Welcomes Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation’s Intent to Invest $12 Billion to Bolster U.S. National Security and Economic Prosperity

"On May 14, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (TSMC) announced that it intends to invest $12 billion in the State of Arizona, starting in 2021, to develop the most state-of-the-art five nanometer semiconductor fabrication foundry in the world. The TSMC deal is a game changer for the U.S. semiconductor industry that will bolster American national security and our economic prosperity.

TSMC’s announcement comes at a critical juncture, when China is competing to dominate cutting-edge technology and control critical industries. The TSMC facility in Arizona will increase…