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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Statement from President Donald J. Trump on Additional Proposed Section 301 Remedies
"Following a thorough investigation under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) determined that China has repeatedly engaged in practices to unfairly obtain America’s intellectual property. The practices detailed in the USTR’s investigation have caused concern around the world. China’s illicit trade practices − ignored for years by Washington − have destroyed thousands of American factories and millions of American jobs. On April 3, 2018, the USTR announced approximately $50 billion in proposed tariffs on imports from China…
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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Final Antidumping Duty Determinations on Tool Chests and Cabinets from China and Vietnam
"Today [April 5, 2018], U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the affirmative final determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) investigations of imports of tool chests and cabinets from China and Vietnam. [...] The Commerce Department determined that exporters from China have sold tool chests and cabinets in the United States at 97.11 percent to 244.29 percent at less than fair value. Commerce determined that exporters from Vietnam have sold tool chests and cabinets in the United States at 327.17 percent at less than fair value."
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Remarks by President Trump Before a Working Lunch with Heads of the Baltic States - China
"I have to say this: China. I have great respect for President Xi. Two of the most incredible days of my life were spent in China, and many of you were with me. He’s a tremendous person. But we have a problem with China. They’ve created a trade deficit, and I really blame our representatives and, frankly, our preceding Presidents for this. We have a trade deficit of $500 billion a year. It’s not something we can live with. So we’ll be working with China…
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USTR Lighthizer Statement on the President's Additional Section 301 Action
“President Trump is proposing an appropriate response to China’s recent threat of new tariffs. After a detailed investigation, USTR found overwhelming evidence that China’s unreasonable actions are harming the U.S. economy. In the light of such evidence, the appropriate response from China should be to change its behavior, as China’s government has pledged to do many times. Economies around the world – including China’s own – would benefit if China would implement policies that truly reward hard work and innovation, rather than continuing its policies…
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USTR Lighthizer Releases 2018 Special 301 Report on Intellectual Property Rights
"The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) today released the 2018 Special 301 Report, identifying trading partners that do not adequately or effectively protect and enforce intellectual property (IP) rights or otherwise deny market access to U.S. innovators and creators that rely on protection of their IP rights. The Report calls on U.S. trading partners to address IP-related challenges with a special focus on the countries identified on the Watch List and Priority Watch List. [...] China is on the Priority Watch List…
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President Trump's Remarks at the Infrastructure Initiative
"Just this week, we secured a wonderful deal with South Korea. We were in a deal that was a horror show. It was going to produce 200,000 jobs, and it did — for them. That was a Hillary Clinton special, I hate to say. “This will produce 200,000 jobs.” She was right, but it was for them. It wasn’t for us. So we’ve redone it, and that’s going to level the playing field on steel and cars and trucks coming into this country. (Applause.) And…
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U.S. Department of Commerce Initiates Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty Investigations of Imports of Laminated Woven Sacks from Vietnam
"Today [March 28, 2018], U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the initiation of new antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations to determine whether laminated woven sacks from Vietnam are being dumped in the United States or if producers in Vietnam are receiving unfair subsidies. [...] The alleged dumping margins range from 101.73 – 292.61 percent. There are 19 subsidy programs alleged for Vietnam."
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Secretary Mattis Meets with Indonesian Foreign Minister Marsudi
"We welcome greater Indonesia leadership and training and interoperability with your neighbors. We believe it is a stabilizing factor, what you are doing. Your trilateral cooperation agreement with Malaysia and the Philippines serves as a good model from the North Natuna Sea, to the Sulu Sea and beyond. We greatly value our military relationship with Indonesia, a like-minded partner with shared democratic values and interests; specifically, that Indonesians are supported in their interest and respect for international law, for territorial integrity in the South China…
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Presidential Memorandum on the Actions by the United States Related to the Section 301 Investigation
"On August 14, 2017, I directed the United States Trade Representative (Trade Representative) to determine whether to investigate China’s laws, policies, practices, or actions that may be unreasonable or discriminatory and that may be harming American intellectual property rights, innovation, or technology development. On August 18, 2017, the Trade Representative initiated an investigation under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (the “Act”) (19 U.S.C. 2411). [...] Section 1. Tariffs. (a) The Trade Representative should take all appropriate action under section 30…
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Presidential Proclamation Adjusting Imports of Aluminum into the United States
"The United States has an important security relationship with Australia, including our shared commitment to supporting each other in addressing national security concerns, particularly through our security, defense, and intelligence partnership; the strong economic and strategic partnership between our countries; our shared commitment to addressing global excess capacity in aluminum production; and the integration of Australian persons and organizations into the national technology and industrial base of the United States. [...] The United States has an important security relationship with South Korea, including our shared…
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U.S. Department of Commerce Finds Dumping of Imports of Carton-Closing Staples from the People's Republic of China
"Today [March 22, 2018], U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the affirmative final determination in the antidumping duty (AD) investigation of imports of carton-closing staples from the People’s Republic of China (China). [...] ommerce determined that exporters from China sold carton-closing staples in the United States at 115.65 – 263.40 percent less than fair value. As a result of today’s decision, Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to collect cash deposits from importers of carton-closing staples based on the final rates. In…
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Presidential Proclamation Adjusting Imports of Steel into the United States
"The United States is continuing discussions with Canada and Mexico, as well as the following countries, on satisfactory alternative means to address the threatened impairment to the national security by imports of steel articles from those countries: the Commonwealth of Australia (Australia), the Argentine Republic (Argentina), the Republic of Korea (South Korea), the Federative Republic of Brazil (Brazil), and the European Union (EU) on behalf of its member countries. Each of these countries has an important security relationship with the United States and I have…
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Remarks by Vice President Pence at a Tax Cuts to Put America First Event
"Under President Donald Trump, I can assure you, the era of economic surrender is over. Our President, just today — (applause) — our President, just today, took another critical step to put American workers and American jobs first when he took action to combat China’s unfair trade practices and to protect America’s intellectual property. And I promise you, this President and this administration are going to keep fighting for American jobs and for free and fair trade that benefits our economy and our family."
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Remarks by President Trump at the Generation Next Summit Panel Discussion with Charlie Kirk
"But we’re losing $375 billion with China. It could be $504 billion, depending on the way you count. A lot of different ways of counting. But no matter how you count, it’s bad. And we’re doing something that will be the start of making trade with China more fair. We’re so far down. [...] That’s why we had the 301 meeting today on China."
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Remarks by President Trump at Signing of a Presidential Memorandum Targeting China's Economic Aggression
"But we have one particular problem. And I view them as a friend; I have tremendous respect for President Xi. We have a great relationship. They’re helping us a lot in North Korea. And that’s China. But we have a trade deficit, depending on the way you calculate, of $504 billion. Now, some people would say it’s really $375 billion. Many different ways of looking at it, but any way you look at it, it is the largest deficit of any country in the history…
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Remarks by Vice President Pence on National Agriculture Day
"We made a deal, for the first time in over a decade, to sell American beef to China. And we reopened Vietnam to distillers and dried grains, and we’re just getting started. We’re going to open up the world to America’s agricultural goods."
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President Trump's Call with Korean President Moon
"President Donald J. Trump spoke today with President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea to discuss ongoing efforts to prepare for their upcoming engagements with North Korea. Both leaders affirmed the importance of learning from the mistakes of the past, and pledged continued, close coordination to maintain maximum pressure on the North Korean regime. The two leaders agreed that concrete actions, not words, will be the key to achieving permanent denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and President Trump reiterated his intention to meet with…
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President Trump Signs Taiwan Travel Act into Law
Taiwan Travel Act: "The bill states that it should be U.S. policy to: (1) allow U.S. officials at all levels to travel to Taiwan to meet their Taiwanese counterparts; (2) permit high-level Taiwanese officials to enter the United States under respectful conditions and to meet with U.S. officials, including officials from the Departments of State and Defense; and (3) encourage the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office and any other instrumentality established by Taiwan to conduct business in the United States."
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President Trump's Remarks at Rally for Republican Congressional Candidate Rick Saccone
"And I must tell you, President Xi of China has really helped us a lot. They have really helped us. And because 93 percent of the goods come in through China going into Korea, North Korea, 93 percent. So that's pretty powerful. And they have been very good. They could have done more, but that's OK. I say to them, you have been great. You could you done more. But they have done a lot. They have done more. China has done more for us…
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USTR Lighthizer Meets with European Commissioner for Trade and Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
"Mrs Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Trade, Mr. Hiroshige Seko, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and Ambassador Robert E. Lighthizer, United States Trade Representative met in Brussels on 10 March, 2018. The Ministers confirmed their shared objective to address non market-oriented policies and practices that lead to severe overcapacity, create unfair competitive conditions for our workers and businesses, hinder the development and use of innovative technologies, and undermine the proper functioning of international trade, including where existing rules are not effective."
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President Trump's Phone Call with Chinese President Xi
"President Donald J. Trump spoke today with President Xi Jinping of China about recent developments related to North Korea. The two leaders welcomed the prospect of dialogue between the United States and North Korea, and committed to maintain pressure and sanctions until North Korea takes tangible steps toward complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization. President Trump expressed his hope that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un might choose a brighter path for North Korea’s future."
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Remarks by Vice President Pence at an America First Policies "Tax Cuts to Put America First" Event
"And in the wake of North Korea’s provocations and threats against the United States and our allies, President Trump made it clear that the era of strategic patience was over. And the President’s strategy for isolating North Korea is working. For more than a year, our administration worked with our allies and partners to bring unprecedented economic and diplomatic pressure to bear on North Korea. And just last night, the world learned that North Korea is now willing to meet to discuss denuclearization, and is…
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President Trump's Call with Japanese Prime Minister Abe
"President Donald J. Trump spoke with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan to discuss the situation in North Korea and to continue the close coordination between our two countries. President Trump and Prime Minister Abe assessed that the maximum pressure policy, together with international solidarity, brought us to this critical juncture. The leaders affirmed their strong intention to continue close trilateral coordination with South Korea to maintain pressure and enforce international sanctions until such point that North Korea takes tangible steps toward complete, verifiable, and…
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Tariffs on Steel and Aluminium Imports to the United States - Indonesia
On March 8, 2018, President Donald Trump signed new tariffs into law on steel and aluminum imports. The tariffs, which are set to take effect 15 days from their signing, instill penalties of 25% on imported steel and 10% on imported aluminum. The tariffs have faced pushback within the United States and countries around the world. Currently, Canada and Mexico have been exempted from the tariffs as negotiations over the North American Free…
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Secretary Ross Announces $1.19 Billion Penalty for Chinese Company’s Export Violations to Iran and North Korea
"Secretary of Commerce Wilbur L. Ross, Jr. Stoday announced that China’s Zhongxing Telecommunications Equipment Corporation and ZTE Kangxun Telecommunications Ltd., known collectively as ZTE, has agreed to a record-high combined civil and criminal penalty of $1.19 billion, pending approval from the courts, after illegally shipping telecommunications equipment to Iran and North Korea in violation of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR). As part of the settlement, ZTE has agreed to pay a penalty of $661 million to Commerce’s…
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President Trump's Remarks on US-China Trade
"When I was with President Xi in China — as an example, we lose $500 billion a year on trade. We have a deficit of approximately $500 billion a year with China. And we’re doing things with China which are very strong, but they understand it. But I was with him and I said to him in public, I said, 'Look, I’m not blaming you. I blame our people for not doing a better job, for allowing this to happen.' [...] If you talk China…
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Statement from Vice President Mike Pence on North Korea
"Whichever direction talks with North Korea go, we will be firm in our resolve. The United States and our allies remain committed to applying maximum pressure on the Kim regime to end their nuclear program. All options are on the table and our posture toward the regime will not change until we see credible, verifiable, and concrete steps toward denuclearization."
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President Trump's Remarks at Gridiron Dinner
"'I won't rule out direct talks with [North Korean Chairman] Kim Jong Un. I just won't. As far as the risk of dealing with a madman is concerned, that's his problem, not mine. ... He must be a fine man. Do you think he's a fine man? ... Although, we did save the Olympics. President Moon gave us a lot of credit, said, 'It was—it was President Trump that made the Olympics successful because there were a lot of people that wanted to go into…
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President Trump's Remarks on Chinese President Xi's Leadership Style
"In the closed-door remarks, a recording of which was obtained by CNN, Trump also praised China's President Xi Jinping for recently consolidating power and extending his potential tenure, musing he wouldn't mind making such a maneuver himself. 'He's now president for life. President for life. No, he's great,' Trump said. 'And look, he was able to do that. I think it's great. Maybe we'll have to give that a shot some day.'"
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USTR Lighthizer Statement on KORUS FTA with South Korea's Minister for Trade
"Today, Ambassador Lighthizer and [South Korean] Minister [for Trade Hyun Chong] Kim are pleased to announce that the United States and the Republic of Korea have reached an agreement in principle on the general terms of amendments and modifications to the United States-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). The nations have also agreed on terms for a country exemption for the Republic of Korea from tariffs imposed on steel imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 pursuant to Presidential…
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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Determination on Polytetrafluoroethylene Resin from India
"Today [March 1, 2018], U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the affirmative preliminary determination in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of imports of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin from India, finding that exporters in India received countervailable subsidies of 3.90 percent."
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President Trump Announces Strong Actions to Address China's Unfair Trade
“President Trump has made it clear we must insist on fair and reciprocal trade with China and strictly enforce our laws against unfair trade. This requires taking effective action to confront China over its state-led efforts to force, strong-arm, and even steal U.S. technology and intellectual property. Years of talking about these problems with China has not worked. The United States is committed to using all available tools to respond to China’s unfair, market-distorting behavior. China’s unprecedented and unfair trade practices are a serious challenge…
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U.S. Department of Commerce Finds Dumping and Subsidization of Imports of Silicon Metal from Australia, Brazil, Kazakhstan, and Norway
"Today [March 1, 2018], U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the affirmative final determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of imports of silicon metal from Australia and Brazil, an AD investigation of silicon metal imports from Norway, and a CVD investigation of silicon metal imports from Kazakhstan. [...] The Commerce Department determined that exporters from Australia, Brazil, and Norway have sold silicon metal in the United States at 41.73 – 51.28 percent, 68.97 – 134.92 percent, and 3.22 percent…
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USTR Lighthizer Announces WTO Challenge to India Export Subsidy Programs
"U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer today announced that the United States has requested dispute settlement consultations with the Government of India at the World Trade Organization (WTO) challenging Indian export subsidy programs. These programs are: the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme; Export Oriented Units Scheme and sector specific schemes, including Electronics Hardware Technology Parks Scheme; Special Economic Zones; Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme; and a duty free imports for exporters program. These apparent export subsidies provide financial benefits to Indian exporters that allow them…
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President Trump's Call with Korean President Moon
"President Donald J. Trump spoke today with President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea to congratulate him on the success of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. President Trump thanked President Moon for his hospitality to the United States Presidential Delegations to the Opening and Closing Ceremonies led by Vice President Mike Pence and Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump, respectively. President Moon briefed President Trump on developments regarding North Korea and inter-Korean talks. President Trump and President Moon noted their firm position that any…
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President Trump's Interview with Judge Jeanine on Fox
"I'm renegotiating trade deals. There are no trade deals ever negotiated that have been bad like the trade deals we've had negotiated whether it's NAFTA, the deal with South Korea, TPP -- I was able to keep us out of that, that would have been a total disaster. The World Trade Organization deal, that's what really led to the emergence of China -- you look at China, they became rich when they made the World Trade Deal. The World Trade Organization, WTO. We have to…