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
All Posts
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2020 New Zealand General Election
"The United States congratulates New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and the Labour Party on their victory in the October 17 national parliamentary elections and commends the people of New Zealand for demonstrating the power of participatory democracy.
New Zealand is one of our closest friends. We congratulate new Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta and look forward to working with her and the rest of New Zealand’s government to further deepen our enduring partnership that is based on our shared history and democratic values."
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Cambodia National Day
"On behalf of the Government of the United States and the American people, I congratulate the people of Cambodia as you mark the 67th anniversary of your independence.
We are honored to confront shared challenges as a partner with Cambodia in support of the health, safety, and prosperity of both our nations. We look forward to further advancing U.S.-Cambodian ties to help build a more prosperous, democratic, and independent Cambodia.
Best wishes to all Cambodians for peace, prosperity, and good health in the year ahead."
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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Countervailing Duty Determination for Passenger Vehicles and Light Truck Tires From Vietnam
"U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced an affirmative preliminary determination in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of passenger vehicle and light truck (passenger tires) tires from Vietnam. The Commerce Department preliminarily determined that exporters and producers from Vietnam received counter available subsidies with rates ranging from 6.23 percent to 10.08 percent. Among the subsidies preliminarily countervailed is Vietnam’s undervalued currency – making this the first time that Commerce has ever made an affirmative CVD determination regarding a foreign currency with a unitary exchange rate…
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Tonga National Day
"On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I congratulate the Kingdom of Tonga as you celebrate your 145th National Day on November 4.
The United States and Tonga have an enduring friendship that has weathered many challenges, thanks to our shared history in the Pacific and our commitment to strengthening freedoms, generating prosperity, and improving the lives of our citizens. As we overcome the challenges of 2020, we find ourselves working together in innovative ways, and we continue to build strong…
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National Day of the Federated States of Micronesia
"On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I would like to congratulate the people of the Federated States of Micronesia in recognition of its 34th anniversary of independence on November 3.
Our two countries enjoy a warm friendship, strengthened by our cooperation in advancing our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific with other democracies in the region. Our people continue to enjoy close ties, and we recognize the service and sacrifice of many citizens of the Federated States of…
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Arrest of Eight Pan-Democratic Politicians in Hong Kong
"The United States strongly condemns the arrests of eight pan-democratic politicians in Hong Kong, including five sitting members of the Legislative Council. The arrest of these lawmakers six months after the incident in question is a clear abuse of law enforcement for political purposes. The Hong Kong government’s harassment and intimidation of pro-democracy representatives and attempts to stifle dissent are stark examples of its ongoing complicity with the authoritarian Chinese Communist Party, which seeks to dismantle the promised autonomy of Hong Kong and eviscerate respect…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Minh READOUT
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh today in Hanoi, Vietnam. Secretary Pompeo and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Minh reaffirmed our expanding Comprehensive Partnership that spans political, security, economic and people-to-people ties as we celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations this year. The Secretary applauded Vietnam’s successful chairmanship of ASEAN during 2020. Secretary Pompeo underscored support for the sovereignty of Southeast Asian nations, international law, and a free and open Indo Pacific."
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Text of a Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate Concerning Duty Free Treatment of Products from Thailand
"Dear Madam Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
Pursuant to section 502(d)(3) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, (the “1974 Act”) (19 U.S.C. 2462(d)(3)), I am hereby advising you of my intent to suspend the duty-free treatment accorded under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) to certain eligible articles that are the product of Thailand, effective on December 30, 2020.
After considering the criteria set forth in sections 501 and 502(c) of the 1974 Act (19 U.S.C. 2461 and 2462(c)), in particular section 502(c)(4) (1…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Phuc
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Hanoi, Vietnam. Secretary Pompeo expressed condolences over the loss of life due to significant flooding as a result of Tropical Storm Linfa and Typhoon Molave and was pleased to announce an additional $2 million in USAID assistance to support response efforts, bringing total funding from the U.S. Government to more than $2.1 million to date. The Secretary congratulated the Prime Minister on Vietnam’s superb chairmanship of ASEAN during a…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Vietnamese Minister for Public Security Lam
"Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo met today with Vietnamese Minister for Public Security To Lam in Hanoi, Vietnam. Secretary Pompeo and Minister Lam emphasized the importance of growing bilateral security cooperation in the Mekong region and the benefits that a strengthened U.S. – Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership can bring to both of our nations."
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Unalienable Rights and Traditions of Tolerance
"SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you for that kind introduction. Selamat siang to you all.
Mr. General Secretary, it is wonderful to be here. I have been looking forward to this since the day that we found a date that worked and were able to accept the invitation. It was most gracious of you to invite me here and I am ecstatic to be part of this event today.
I want to make sure and thank all the people who made this happen. I want to thank…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today in Jakarta, Indonesia, with Indonesian President Joko Widodo. They discussed ways the United States and Indonesia can work together to promote a prosperous, secure, and democratic Indo-Pacific region, as well as strategies for building stronger economic ties between our two countries. Secretary Pompeo and President Joko Widodo also reviewed recent security developments across the Indo-Pacific and discussed ways to enhance cooperation on maritime security, supply chains, and post-pandemic economic recovery."
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Secretary Pompeo And Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi
"SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you very much. Madam Minister, thank you. Hello, everyone. It’s great to see you again, and it’s wonderful to be back here in Indonesia. I visited here early in my tenure as Secretary of State, but once was certainly not enough. Good to be back. It was important for me to return to keep strengthening this foundational, pivotal relationship in Southeast Asia.
And Madam Minister, I want to say to you how much I’ve appreciated your engagement on the Afghanistan peace process…
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Arrest and Detention of Student Democracy Activists in Hong Kong Under the National Security Law
"The United States strongly condemns the arrest and detention of three student democracy activists and calls on Hong Kong authorities to release those that remain detained immediately. The Beijing-controlled Hong Kong government continues to stifle dissent, repress public opinion, and use law enforcement for political purposes.
The People’s Republic of China has violated its international obligations under the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, while the Chinese Communist Party and its Hong Kong proxies crush the promised autonomy of Hong Kong, and eviscerate Hong Kong’s respect for…
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Secretary Pompeo and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at a Press Availability
"SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Minister. Hello, everyone. It’s wonderful to be in here, Colombo. It’s most special because indeed, as you said, we’re one day short of 72 years of our diplomatic relations between our two countries, a remarkable anniversary for each of us.
The foreign minister and I had a great conversation. I had a chance to congratulate him on his reappointment – well done – and had a very positive conversation with President Rajapaksa a bit earlier this morning as…
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Secretary Pompeo With Indeewari Amuwatte of Derana TV
"QUESTION: Thank you for your time here with us in Colombo, Secretary Pompeo. Your visit here is termed crucial. It’s seen as a rare one and peculiar given the timing of the visit. What’s so important that you had to communicate at this juncture?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Well, thanks for giving me a chance to be with you. I appreciate it. It’s been wonderful to be here in Colombo.
Look, the – I’m in this region a lot. I had planned to come here earlier. The…
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Secretary Pompeo and Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid at a Press Availability
"SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you, Mr. Foreign Minister. Thank you. Hello, everyone. Perhaps I’ll get fortunate and there’ll be a mechanical problem with my airplane, and I’ll get to see a sunset and a sunrise. I also want to thank President Solih for inviting me to visit Male. This is indeed a beautiful – it’s a beautiful city and a beautiful country, and I’m happy to have the opportunity to be here.
We had an incredibly productive conversation, positive meetings. It’s safe to say that our…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Secretary Pompeo reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to a strong, sovereign Sri Lanka and to advancing our shared interests in a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Secretary Pompeo and President Rajapaksa discussed post-pandemic economic recovery and development and noted the benefits of long-term U.S. private sector trade and investment, which offers sustainable, transparent, and high-quality partnership. The Secretary also stressed the importance of strengthening democratic governance, human…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Maldivian President Solih
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in Malé, Maldives. Secretary Pompeo congratulated President Solih and the people of Maldives for their tremendous progress in strengthening democratic institutions and fostering civil society in recent years. Both welcomed the increasingly warm and close relationship between the United States and Maldives since our countries established diplomatic ties 54 years ago and hailed the decision to open a U.S. Embassy in Maldives as a milestone in our bilateral relationship. Secretary Pompeo…
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On U.S. Intent to Open an Embassy in Maldives
"I am pleased to announce that the United States intends to open an Embassy in Maldives with a resident U.S. Ambassador, reflecting the continued growth of the U.S.-Maldives relationship and underscoring the United States’ unshakeable commitment to Maldives and the Indo-Pacific region. In the decades since the United States and Maldives first established diplomatic ties in 1966, our countries have expanded cooperation on issues ranging from strengthening maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, to incentivizing the private sector, and countering terrorism. With support from the United…
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Secretary Pompeo With Prasad Dodangodage of Rupavahini TV
"QUESTION: Secretary Pompeo, now, your visit in Sri Lanka made headlines in many ways. First, it’s taking place just before the U.S. presidential elections. Then there was a statement made by a State Department official on Sri Lanka. So there are many speculated definitions for this visit. So what’s your definition for this visit?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So I’ve traveled to this region many times. It’s an important region for the United States. We value democratic friendships all across the world. I had hoped to get…
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Designation of the National Association for China’s Peaceful Unification (NACPU) as a Foreign Mission of the PRC
"The United Front Work Department (UFWD) is the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) organ tasked with co-opting and neutralizing threats to the party’s rule and spreading its influence and propaganda overseas. The CCP regards this party apparatus as a “magic weapon” to advance Beijing’s policies.
Today, the Department of State designated a UFWD-controlled organization – the National Association for China’s Peaceful Unification (NACPU) – as a foreign mission of the PRC under the U.S. Foreign Missions Act. The goal of this action is to shine a…
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Secretary Pompeo With Shekhar Gupta of The Print
"QUESTION: We’ve kept you busy, Secretary, in Delhi – what, 18 hours – on 19 hours, and I know that you’ve heard the word “China” more times than you can count. Now, we know that China is knocking at our doorsteps and that’s a clear and present issue. But what is there to this relationship that goes beyond the China problem?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah. So, many things. This was a good relationship long before the Chinese Communist Party started causing as much trouble as they’re…