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 President Trump in Press Gaggle Aboard Air Force One - China and North Korea
"THE PRESIDENT: It’s an incredible deal. It goes down, certainly — if it happens, it goes down as one of the largest deals ever made. It’s a deal between the United States and China made by the President and the President. And it’ll have an incredibly positive impact on farming, meaning agriculture, industrial products, computers — every type of product.
And what I’d be doing is holding back on tariffs. China will be opening up. China will be getting rid of tariffs. You know, China…
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Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding the President’s Working Dinner with China
"The President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, and President Xi Jinping of China, have just concluded what both have said was a “highly successful meeting” between themselves and their most senior representatives in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Very importantly, President Xi, in a wonderful humanitarian gesture, has agreed to designate Fentanyl as a Controlled Substance, meaning that people selling Fentanyl to the United States will be subject to China’s maximum penalty under the law.
On Trade, President Trump has agreed that on January 1…
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Secretary Pompeo's Interview With Wolf Blitzer of CNN - North Korea
"QUESTION: When is the President going to meet again with the North Korean leader?
SECRETARY POMPEO: I don’t know. I hope it’ll happen pretty soon. We’re working hard at it. I think it’ll happen shortly after the first of the year but I don’t have any additional information to share with you this morning, Wolf.
QUESTION: What’s the problem right now with the North Koreans?
SECRETARY POMPEO: The progress – yes. Well, the progress we’ve made has been good.
QUESTION: No, what’s the problem?
SECRETARY…
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Remarks by Secretary Mattis on National Defense Strategy - Indo-Pacific
"In the Indo-Pacific region, we keep our decades-old alliances strong by building new partnerships. From this year's historic visit of the USS Carl Vinson, to Vietnam, to our deepening security cooperation with India, which shows the growing trust between the world's two largest democracies, both Pacific powers. In Korea, our diplomats speak from a position of unquestioned strength, as they endeavor to achieve the complete, verified denuclearization of North Korea. [...] We are in era of great power competition, but as President Trump has said…
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Lao People's Democratic Republic National Day
"On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, we send our congratulations on Laos’ National Day to President Bounnhang Vorachit and the people of Laos.
Our Comprehensive Partnership and Laos’ role as the U.S. Country Coordinator for ASEAN continues to strengthen our ties and yield new opportunities. The United States is honored to be a close and reliable partner with the people of Laos. Our steadfast support for Laos’ development goals, increasing commercial ties, and continued collaboration on war legacy and humanitarian…