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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IISS Special Presentation with Secretary Esper - US Indo-Pacific Policy

Secretary Pompeo at a Press Availability -

"SECRETARY POMPEO: [...] Yesterday President Trump signed the Hong Kong Autonomy Act and announced a series of actions through a presidential executive order.

As he said in May, if China treats Hong Kong as one country and a single system, so must we.

General Secretary Xi Jinping made a choice to violate the Chinese Communist Party’s promises to Hong Kong in – that were made in a UN-registered treaty. He didn’t have to do that; he made that choice.

We have to deal with China…

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 With Hugh Hewitt of The Hugh Hewitt Show - China and Taiwan

QUESTION: All right. Let me ask you about one particular charge, the most troubling charge by Ambassador Bolton: Did the President in any way condone or encourage General Secretary Xi’s concentration camps for the Uyghurs, on whose behalf you’ve spoken – you personally have spoken frequently and forcefully?

SECRETARY POMPEO: I have indeed. When I was in Central Asia, I had a chance to meet with Uyghurs who had family members that were in those camps in Western China. The President signed – while I…

Europe and the China Challenge

"I want to make a few brief remarks and then I’m looking forward to taking questions.

First: the idea that Europe is being forced to choose between the United States and China. I want to talk about that at some length.

Second: the belief that it’s costless to compromise your values.

Everywhere I go – everywhere I go, I talk to my counterparts and audiences like this about the reality of what we see in the world – especially in China. I’ve done it in…

Secretary Esper's Op-Ed in "The Straits Times" on US Indo-Pacific Policy

"As an Indo-Pacific nation, the United States is committed to ensuring the region remains free and open for all, and upholding the rules and norms that have secured prosperity for nations of all sizes.

In the year since the Department of Defence released the Indo-Pacific Strategy Report, we have made great strides across the three pillars of our strategy: preparedness, strengthening partnerships, and promoting a more networked region - but there is still much more work to be done.

First, under preparedness, we are prioritising…

Secretary Pompeo With Maria Bartiromo of Fox News Sunday Morning Futures - China and Taiwan

"QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, let me switch gears and ask you about China. And here I want to take you back and really reiterate your background. You come from the world of intelligence. You, of course, are a West Point graduate, the finest military academy in the world. You were the head of the CIA. You were on the House Intel Committee when you were in Congress. You have been investigating China and zeroing in on behavior of China for 10 years. Can you assess the…

Secretary Pompeo at a Press Availability - China and Taiwan

"I want to begin today with a few observations on China, because the media’s focus on the current pandemic risks missing the bigger picture of the challenge that’s presented by the Chinese Communist Party. First, basic facts. China’s been ruled by a brutal, authoritarian regime, a communist regime since 1949.

For several decades, we thought the regime would become more like us through trade, scientific exchanges, diplomatic outreach, letting them in the WTO as a developing nation. That didn’t happen.

We greatly underestimated the degree…

Taiwan’s Inauguration of President Tsai Ing-wen

"I would like to congratulate Dr. Tsai Ing-wen on the commencement of her second term as Taiwan’s President. Her re-election by a huge margin shows that she has earned the respect, admiration, and trust of the people on Taiwan. Her courage and vision in leading Taiwan’s vibrant democracy is an inspiration to the region and the world.

The United States has long considered Taiwan a force for good in the world and a reliable partner. Support for Taiwan in the United States is bipartisan and…

Secretary Pompeo's Remarks on Taiwan’s Exclusion from the World Health Assembly

"The United States condemns Taiwan’s exclusion from the World Health Assembly. At a time when the world continues to struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic, we need multilateral institutions to deliver on their stated missions and to serve the interests of all member states, not to play politics while lives are at stake.

No one disputes that Taiwan has mounted one of the world’s most successful efforts to contain the pandemic to date, despite its close proximity to the original outbreak in Wuhan, China. This should…

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…

President Trump Signs TAIPEI Act into Law

"S. 1678, the “Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019,” which requires the Department of State to report to Congress on steps taken by the United States government to strengthen Taiwan’s diplomatic relations with other partners in the Indo-Pacific region and alter United States’ engagement with nations that undermine the security or prosperity of Taiwan."

View the full text of the TAIPEI Act here.