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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Lao People’s Democratic Republic’s National Day
"On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I offer congratulations to President Bounnhang Vorachit and the people of Laos as you commemorate your National Day on December 2.
This has been another notable year in our bilateral relationship that has seen our Comprehensive Partnership become stronger. This year, our forward-looking relationship has established closer political, economic, and people to people ties. Laos has played an important role in ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific region as a partner that promotes peace, security, and…
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks on the Passing of Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone
"It is with great sadness that I extend my deepest condolences to the family of former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone and the people of Japan. Prime Minister Nakasone was a courageous leader at a critical juncture for Japan and a trusted friend of the United States, who personified the strength of the U.S.-Japan alliance and economic relationship. As a great statesman, his efforts to improve relations with neighboring countries and address the daunting international challenges of the day have had a lasting impact on the…
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Statement by President Trump on the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019
"Today, I have signed into law S. 1838, the “Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019” (the “Act”). The Act reaffirms and amends the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992, specifies United States policy towards Hong Kong, and directs assessment of the political developments in Hong Kong. Certain provisions of the Act would interfere with the exercise of the President’s constitutional authority to state the foreign policy of the United States. My Administration will treat each of the provisions of the…
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Secretary Pompeo With Ben Shapiro of The Ben Shapiro Show - Hong Kong
"QUESTION: We’re speaking with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Meanwhile, switching over to the situation over in Hong Kong, local elections were held over the last week or so, and the people of Hong Kong rose up in these local elections and endorsed the pro-democratic candidates. They are standing up against the Government of China. Obviously the administration is in the middle of a trade negotiation with China at this point, and this has led to a bit of an impasse on a Senate bill…
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks to the Press - China
"Turning to the Chinese Communist Party. We’ve all seen the “Xinjiang Papers” released in recent days. They detail the Chinese party’s brutal detention and systematic repression of Uighurs and members of other Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang.
These reports are consistent with an overwhelming and growing body of evidence that the Chinese Communist Party is committing human rights violations and abuses against individuals in mass detention.
We call on the Chinese Government to immediately release all those who are arbitrarily detained and to end its…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Call with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha
"Secretary Michael R. Pompeo spoke with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Kang today. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Kang pledged to maintain close coordination and reaffirmed the importance of the ROK-Japan relationship.
Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Kang praised the enduring strength of the U.S.-ROK Alliance and both sides reiterated their commitment to cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, as outlined in the Joint U.S.-ROK Factsheet released on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit November 2."
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Remarks By Secretary Esper in a Preflight Press Gaggle - Briefing on Indo-Pacific Trip
"SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MARK T. ESPER: Yeah, so I -- my second trip to the INDOPACOM theater. My first was in, what, August, a few months ago. This is my second, so two trips to our priority theater in a span of three to four months. I think it shows to you the importance we place on this theater with regard to our National Defense Strategy, and this was, what, seven-, eight-day trip.
Once again, we met with our traditional allies and with potential new…
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Remarks by President Trump After Tour of Apple Manufacturing Plant - China
"Q Should Apple be exempt from China tariffs?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, we’re looking at that. And, you know, the problem we have is you have Samsung — it’s a great company, but it’s a competitor of Apple, and it’s not fair if — because we have a trade deal with Korea. We made a great trade deal with South Korea, but we have to treat Apple on a somewhat similar basis as we treat Samsung.
Now, with all of that being said, we’re doing very…