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 With Rob Schmitt of Wake Up America on Newsmax - China
"QUESTION: Secretary Pompeo, we haven’t seen “America First” at this level really since the Reagan administration. Regarding China, you and President Trump really hit the reset button there. How serious a threat do you think China remains right now?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Unfortunately, it’s a tremendous threat. Indeed, I would evaluate the Chinese Communist Party as the greatest threat to security of the American people and indeed the free world of any of them that are out there. There’s a leader, General Secretary Xi Jinping, who…
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Secretary Pompeo With Alex Marlow of Breitbart News Radio on SiriusXM Patriot - China
"QUESTION: One of the topics of conversation today on the broadcast has been this story that came out of The Australian of 1.95 million Chinese Communist members who have infiltrated companies really around the world and also government agencies. Did you get a look at this one and do you have any reaction to it and what it means?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah, we’ve seen this everywhere, and President Trump’s been the first president of the United States, and frankly, one of the first global leaders…
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) on the Chinese Communist Party
"[SECRETARY POMPEO: ] I thought I’d start with a quick story, by way of explanation. Professor Fei-Ling Wang is with us here today. Professor, where – I didn’t see you sitting? Welcome. Nice to see you.
Several years ago, Professor Wang took a trip to China where he was scooped up by security agents inside of China. He was held in a secret location for two weeks. Professor Wang was interrogated and threatened. They wanted information about his research about China and his time teaching…
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New Sanctions Under the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act (INKSNA)
"On Wednesday, November 25, 2020, the United States sanctioned four entities located in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Russia for supporting Iran’s missile program, under the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act (INKSNA). We imposed sanctions against Chengdu Best New Materials Co., Ltd. and Zibo Elim Trade Co., Ltd. in the PRC and against Nilco Group, which is also known as Nil Fam Khazar Company and Santers Holding, and Joint Stock Company Elecon in Russia for transferring sensitive technology and items to…
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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Countervailing Duty Determination for Twist Ties From China
"Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced an affirmative preliminary determination in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of twist ties from China. The Commerce Department preliminarily determined that exporters/producers from China received countervailable subsidies at a rate of 122.5 percent. Among the subsidies preliminarily countervailed is China’s undervalued currency – making this the first time Commerce has ever countervailed the Renminbi. This is the second time that Commerce has countervailed a foreign currency with a unitary exchange rate.
“Today’s preliminary determination reaffirms the…
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Secretary Pompeo With Mark Belling of the Mark Belling Show - China
"QUESTION: And the final question: The China reset. We had made the deal with the devil because we had significant business relationships with China. We allowed them to never do anything for us that we wanted on the international stage and screw us with regard to trade, intellectual property, and so on because we liked the business relationship here. The President made the decision to take on China and China didn’t like it, and who knows what the long-term ramifications have been and who knows…
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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Countervailing Duty Determination for Passenger Vehicles and Light Truck Tires From Vietnam
"U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced an affirmative preliminary determination in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of passenger vehicle and light truck (passenger tires) tires from Vietnam. The Commerce Department preliminarily determined that exporters and producers from Vietnam received counter available subsidies with rates ranging from 6.23 percent to 10.08 percent. Among the subsidies preliminarily countervailed is Vietnam’s undervalued currency – making this the first time that Commerce has ever made an affirmative CVD determination regarding a foreign currency with a unitary exchange rate…
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Text of a Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate Concerning Duty Free Treatment of Products from Thailand
"Dear Madam Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
Pursuant to section 502(d)(3) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, (the “1974 Act”) (19 U.S.C. 2462(d)(3)), I am hereby advising you of my intent to suspend the duty-free treatment accorded under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) to certain eligible articles that are the product of Thailand, effective on December 30, 2020.
After considering the criteria set forth in sections 501 and 502(c) of the 1974 Act (19 U.S.C. 2461 and 2462(c)), in particular section 502(c)(4) (1…
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Secretary Pompeo and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at a Press Availability
"SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Minister. Hello, everyone. It’s wonderful to be in here, Colombo. It’s most special because indeed, as you said, we’re one day short of 72 years of our diplomatic relations between our two countries, a remarkable anniversary for each of us.
The foreign minister and I had a great conversation. I had a chance to congratulate him on his reappointment – well done – and had a very positive conversation with President Rajapaksa a bit earlier this morning as…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Secretary Pompeo reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to a strong, sovereign Sri Lanka and to advancing our shared interests in a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Secretary Pompeo and President Rajapaksa discussed post-pandemic economic recovery and development and noted the benefits of long-term U.S. private sector trade and investment, which offers sustainable, transparent, and high-quality partnership. The Secretary also stressed the importance of strengthening democratic governance, human…
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Secretary Pompeo With Prasad Dodangodage of Rupavahini TV
"QUESTION: Secretary Pompeo, now, your visit in Sri Lanka made headlines in many ways. First, it’s taking place just before the U.S. presidential elections. Then there was a statement made by a State Department official on Sri Lanka. So there are many speculated definitions for this visit. So what’s your definition for this visit?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So I’ve traveled to this region many times. It’s an important region for the United States. We value democratic friendships all across the world. I had hoped to get…