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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Japan’s National Day
"On behalf of the Government of the United States of America and the American people, I send warm wishes to Emperor Naruhito on the occasion of his 60th birthday this February 23.
The President and I were honored to visit Japan in 2019 and are grateful for the warm welcome by both the Emperor and the Japanese people. President Trump was the first Head of State to meet with Emperor Naruhito after his accession to the throne, continuing the legacy of a great relationship started…
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Brunei Darussalam National Day
"On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I extend my congratulations to the people of Brunei Darussalam as you celebrate your 36th National Day this February 23.
The United States and Brunei Darussalam have enjoyed friendly relations for the past 175 years and we are proud that our partnership has contributed to enhanced peace and prosperity in the Indo-pacific region. As we look to the future, we hope to continue our close cooperation to further advance our bilateral security, economic, and…
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Remarks by President Trump to Rural Stakeholders on California Water Accessibility - Trade Agreements with the Indo-Pacific
"So, from the beginning, the Trump administration has delivered for our great farmers. We love our farmers. Under the previous administration, net farm income plummeted by 20 percent. And under my administration, net farm income has increased by over 50 percent. (Applause.)
And we’ve secured the historic trade deals, including the new trade deal with China. They’re going to buy $50 billion worth of your product. I don’t know if you’re going to be able to make it. The most they ever bought — remember…
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks on China's Treatment of "Wall Street Journal" Journalists
"The United States condemns China’s expulsion of three Wall Street Journal foreign correspondents. Mature, responsible countries understand that a free press reports facts and expresses opinions. The correct response is to present counter arguments, not restrict speech. The United States hopes that the Chinese people will enjoy the same access to accurate information and freedom of speech that Americans enjoy."
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Remarks by President Trump Before Air Force One Departure - China and India
"Q You tweeted this morning about China and wanting U.S. companies to be able to —
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah.
Q — sell jet parts.
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah.
Q Are you — are you not concerned about national security on that?
THE PRESIDENT: I’m very concerned about national security. Number one, I’m concerned about national security. Nobody has done a better job with national security than me. You take a look at what’s going on: We’ve done a great job on national security. A lot of…
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Secretary Esper Media Roundtable - China
"Q: On Huawei, you made a very impassioned case downstairs earlier on in this case. It looks like, from everything that we can see from our German colleagues here that Germany is trying to move its way to something close to what Britain decided a few weeks ago, which is keep Huawei on the periphery but not in the core.
Is that an acceptable position, to your mind?
SEC. ESPER: I don't know because I haven't studied their position and what it means…
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Secretary Esper's Remarks at the Munich Security Conference - China
"Being in Europe, I know that there has been much discussion about the challenges from Russia, so this morning I want to focus on the Pentagon’s top concern: the People’s Republic of China.
Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of a decision that fundamentally altered the course of international affairs: China’s admission into the World Trade Organization.
I was working in the United States Senate at the time, and two competing arguments over China’s membership dominated the public debate.
The prevailing…
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks at the Munich Security Conference - China
"China. China encroaches on the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia. And on that point, China has had a border or maritime dispute with nearly every nation bordering it.
And let’s talk for a second about the other realm, cybersecurity. Huawei and other Chinese state-backed tech companies are Trojan horses for Chinese intelligence. Russia’s disinformation campaigns try to turn our citizens against one another. Iranian cyberattacks plague Middle East computer networks. [...]China demands silence on Taiwan and Hong Kong so that deals…
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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 Vice President Pence at the National Association of Manufacturers Winter 2020 Board of Directors Meeting - China
"Just the last month, it’s been an incredible month of progress. And while the Congress is spending their time on other matters, you saw President Trump sign phase one of a new trade deal with China that for the first time includes the beginning of protections of intellectual property and will increase manufacturing exports by $50 billion in the next two years. (Applause.) It’s a beginning.
China has already begun lifting tariffs on American products. They’ve pledged to end currency manipulation. President Trump has made…