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 Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha in a trilateral meeting on the margins of the Munich Security Conference. Secretary Pompeo, Foreign Minister Kang, and Foreign Minister Motegi reaffirmed close cooperation on the DPRK and discussed a coordinated response to the coronavirus outbreak and other global security concerns. They also emphasized the importance of the U.S.-ROK and U.S.-Japan Alliances to security and prosperity as a key part of the Indo-Pacific…
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Remarks by Secretary Ross at Oxford Union in Oxford, England - China and South Korea
"It took 25 years for these policies to shift the United States from trade surpluses to deficits. Now, many countries, including China, have a positive balance of trade solely because their surpluses with United States exceed their deficits with the rest of the world. Without their U.S. surpluses, they could not buy as much as they do from everyone else. Almost half the U.S. merchandise trade deficit is with China, partly because wages are lower there, and partly because we let them into the WTO…
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Remarks by Secretary Ross at the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Lunar New Year Celebration
"I am happy to participate in today’s Lunar New Year celebration with everyone involved in the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.I am also pleased to co-chair this initiative with our esteemed Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. This initiative aims to positively impact the lives of the fastest growing minority population in America.Many thanks also to Vice President Mike Pence, Labor Secretary Scalia, USPS Chairman Mike Duncan, and the Initiative’s new Executive Director, Tina Smith, for joining us here today.A warm welcome to…
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Secretary Esper's Remarks at the CSIS Global Security Forum - China, North Korea, and Alliances in the Indo-Pacific
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Secretary Pompeo and Secretary Esper's Remarks on US Alliance with South Korea
"American presidents have long asked allies to pay more for their own defense—often with lackluster results. But both the U.S. and South Korea now face strategic challenges so large and complex that neither country can afford to allow the status quo to continue. That’s the context of America’s discussions with South Korea about a new special measures agreement.
The U.S.-South Korea alliance is the linchpin of peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia. Shared values of democracy, the rule of law and open economies form the…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Kang in Silicon Valley, California. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Kang reaffirmed continued close U.S.-ROK coordination on North Korea. The Secretary and Foreign Minister Kang praised the enduring strength of the U.S.-ROK Alliance and reiterated their commitment to cooperation across the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy and the ROK New Southern Policy. They also discussed the importance of U.S.-ROK-Japan trilateral cooperation and pledged to continue to work closely together on an array of…
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Trilateral Meeting between Secretary Pompeo, Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha in Silicon Valley, California. Secretary Pompeo, Foreign Minister Kang, and Foreign Minister Motegi emphasized the importance of the U.S.-ROK and U.S.-Japan Alliances to security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and the world. They also stressed that trilateral cooperation is essential to ensure the future of peace in the region."
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Secretary Pompeo’s Call with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha
"Secretary Michael R. Pompeo spoke with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Kang today. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Kang pledged to maintain close coordination and reaffirmed the importance of the ROK-Japan relationship.
Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Kang praised the enduring strength of the U.S.-ROK Alliance and both sides reiterated their commitment to cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, as outlined in the Joint U.S.-ROK Factsheet released on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit November 2."
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Remarks By Secretary Esper in a Preflight Press Gaggle - Briefing on Indo-Pacific Trip
"SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MARK T. ESPER: Yeah, so I -- my second trip to the INDOPACOM theater. My first was in, what, August, a few months ago. This is my second, so two trips to our priority theater in a span of three to four months. I think it shows to you the importance we place on this theater with regard to our National Defense Strategy, and this was, what, seven-, eight-day trip.
Once again, we met with our traditional allies and with potential new…
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United States and South Korea Reach Agreement on Guaranteed Market Access for American Rice
"United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue are pleased to announce that the Trump Administration has reached an agreement with the government of South Korea on market access for U.S. rice.
Under the agreement, Korea will provide access for 132,304 tons of U.S. rice annually, with an annual value of approximately $110 million. Korea also agreed to important disciplines to ensure transparency and predictability around the tendering and auctioning for U.S. rice.
“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, this agreement…
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Remarks by President Trump in a Cabinet Meeting - China and South Korea
"And they announced another number this morning. That was a number that was very warm to my heart. Since the election, we’ve created $11 trillion in worth. Now, China has gone down by double that number, and we’ve gone up by $11 trillion. So when — whoever it was that was going to be President, they said, “Within two years, China would overtake the United States as the world’s largest economy.” We’re so far ahead of them right now, it’s not even close. And if…