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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Remarks by President Trump in Roundtable Discussion with Industry Executives on Reopening - China

"Q Referencing your Rose Garden event, we see tensions with China over the virus, now over Hong Kong. Are we witnessing the start of a cold war between the United States and China?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, we’re certainly not happy with what happened with respect to China. They have a virus that started, and when it got out of control, perhaps — I assume that’s what happened; it got out of control, whichever way — and they stopped it from going to China, but they…

Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry as Nonimmigrants of Certain Students and Researchers from the People’s Republic of China

"The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is engaged in a wide‑ranging and heavily resourced campaign to acquire sensitive United States technologies and intellectual property, in part to bolster the modernization and capability of its military, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The PRC’s acquisition of sensitive United States technologies and intellectual property to modernize its military is a threat to our Nation’s long-term economic vitality and the safety and security of the American people.

The PRC authorities use some Chinese students, mostly post‑graduate students and post-doctorate…

Remarks by President Trump Announcing an Executive Order on Preventing Online Censorship - China and India

"Q Are you worried about the situation on the border between India and China?

THE PRESIDENT: Ah, India. He loves India so much. He’s never asked a question other than an India question, and that’s okay. I just got back from India, right?

Q I (inaudible) Indian, sir.

THE PRESIDENT: I just beat COVID.

Q You are very popular in India.

THE PRESIDENT: I got back — I know. And they like me in India. I think they like me in India certainly more than…

Remarks by President Trump on Supporting our Nation’s Farmers, Ranchers, and Food Supply Chain - China

"We eliminated crushing Washington regulations, kept our promise on ethanol, and replaced and negotiated our badly broken trade deals to finally give you a fair and level playing field. When China unfairly targeted our farmers, we provided $28 million [billion] in direct assistance. And it came from China, not from our government. And you know that happened, and they paid for it. We didn’t pay. You know, they have this misconception; they like to say this as much as possible.

China devalued their currency in…

Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure - China

"Q What do you mean by cutting relations with China? What would that look like?

THE PRESIDENT: We’ll see. We’ll see. We got a lot of things going with China. We’re not happy about China — I will tell you that. The ink wasn’t dry on a great trade deal, and all of a sudden, the plague comes in from China. We’re not happy about it."

President Trump's Remarks on China During Interview with Maria Bartiromo of Fox Business

President Trump's Remarks on Trade Deal with China

President Trump's Remarks on China During COVID-19 Briefing