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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Remarks by Vice President Pence at the 6th U.S.-ASEAN Summit
"Your Majesty, your excellencies, it is my honor to join you all here at the 6th Summit between the United States of America and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Last year, President Trump attended this summit to share our nation’s vision of a “free and open Indo-Pacific.” And I am here on the President’s behalf to discuss our progress in making this vision a reality.
I spoke just a few moments ago with the President and he asked me to convey his regards and…
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Vice President Pence and Prime Minister Abe of Japan's Remarks in Joint Press Statements
"Thank you, Prime Minister Abe, for those kind words and for the warm hospitality that you’ve shown to Karen and me. This is our third visit to Japan since I became Vice President. And it is my great honor to be with you today to reflect the remarkable bond that exists between our two nations.
And I’m here today on behalf of a friend of yours and a great champion of the U.S.-Japan alliance, President Donald Trump. I know the President is very much looking…
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United States Issues WTO Counter Notification Against India’s Market Price Support for Cotton
"U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced that the United States submitted a counter notification in the World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Agriculture (COA) on India’s market price support (MPS) for cotton. The United States has been calling for WTO reform to improve the review process of various Committees in the WTO. To continue to improve transparency in the WTO, the United States filed the second U.S. COA notification under the WTO Agreement on Agriculture regarding another country’s…
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Vice President Pence's Op-Ed in The Washington Post on US-Indo-Pacific Relations
We seek an Indo-Pacific — from the United States to India, from Japan to Australia, and everywhere in between — where sovereignty is respected, where commerce flows unhindered and where independent nations are masters of their own destinies. This region, which includes more than half of Earth’s surface and population, has experienced great progress when these principles have been respected. While some nations now seek to undermine this foundation, the United States is taking decisive action to protect our interests and promote the Indo-Pacific’s shared…
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President Trump's Remarks in Press Conference After Midterm Elections - Japan
"Q Mr. President, can you tell us how you focus on the economic —
THE PRESIDENT: Where are you from, please?
Q Japan. Prime Minister Abe.
THE PRESIDENT: Okay. Say hello. Say hello to Shinzo.
Q Yes.
THE PRESIDENT: I’m sure he’s happy about tariffs on his cars. Go ahead.
Q That’s my question, actually. So how you focus on the trade and economic issues with Japan? Will you ask Japan to do more? Will you change your tone?
THE PRESIDENT: I don’t — I…
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President Trump's Remarks in Press Conference After Midterm Elections - China
Q But what about the — Mr. President, what about the divides in this country? Mr. President, what about healing the divides in this country — addressing those issues, specifically?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, we want to see — we want to see it healed. And one of the things I think that can help heal is the success of our country. We are really successful now. We’ve gone up $11.7 trillion in — in worth.
If you know, China has come down tremendously. Tremendously. China…
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U.S. Department of Commerce Finds Dumping and Subsidization of Imports of Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet from China
"Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the affirmative final determinations in the first antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) trade cases the Federal government has initiated since 1985. These investigations, concerning Chinese imports of common alloy aluminum sheet, were initiated by the Enforcement and Compliance division of the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration under the authority granted to the Secretary in the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended.
“President Trump has been clear in the need for drastic action to defend American…
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President Trump's Remarks on China
"Q Are you prepared to make a deal with China and announce it at the G20? Or do you think that deal is not going to come together?
THE PRESIDENT: We’ve had very good discussions with China. We’re getting much closer to doing something. They very much want to make a deal. As you know, their economy went way down since we’ve been doing this skirmish.
I spoke with President Xi yesterday. They very much want to make a deal. I think we’ll make a…
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Secretary Pompeo's Interview With Sean Hannity of the Sean Hannity Show - China
"QUESTION: [...] What is the overall relationship with China like? And as it relates to China, Russia, the United States, where are those – where are their alliances going now?
SECRETARY POMPEO: China, I think, Sean, you have correctly identified as the most important long-term strategic challenge for the United States of America, and that’s across multiple fronts. We’ve talked about trade. We need that to be fair and reciprocal with them. But just this week we indicted 10 Chinese for stealing intellectual property. It’s…