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
Text
President Trump's Meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Abe
"President Donald J. Trump met today with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan at the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany. The two leaders condemned North Korea’s July 4 launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, which showed that North Korea is a threat to the United States and its allies, and countries around the world. President Trump and Prime Minister Abe affirmed that the international community must address North Korea’s ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs quickly and decisively. President Trump reaffirmed the ironclad commitment of…
Text
Joint Statement from the United States of America, Republic of Korea, and Japan
"President Donald J. Trump, President Moon Jae-in [of South Korea], and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe [of Japan] met in Hamburg, Germany, on July 6 to discuss the serious and escalating threat posed by the nuclear and ballistic missile programs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The three leaders condemned the DPRK’s unprecedented launch, on July 4, of a ballistic missile with intercontinental range, a major escalation that directly violates multiple United Nation’s Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and that clearly demonstrates the growing threat…
Text
Secretary Mattis' Call with Korea Minister of Defense Han
"Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis spoke by telephone today with Republic of Korea Minister of Defense Han Min-koo to discuss North Korea's test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on July 4. Secretary Mattis and Minister Han both strongly condemned North Korea's missile test, agreeing that this reckless provocation poses a threat to security and stability both in the region and to the broader international community. Secretary Mattis re-affirmed the United States' ironclad commitment to the U.S.-ROK alliance and the United States' extended deterrence commitments…
Text
Secretary Mattis' Call with Japanese Minister of Defense Inada
"Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis spoke by telephone today with Japan Minister of Defense Tomomi Inada to discuss North Korea's test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on July 4. Secretary Mattis and Minister Inada both agreed that this test represents an escalation and unacceptable provocation that undermines regional security and stability. Secretary Mattis underscored the United States' ironclad commitment to defend Japan and provide extended deterrence using the full range of U.S. capabilities. Secretary Mattis and Minister Inada affirmed that the United States and…
Text
President Trump's Call with Japanese Prime Minister Abe
"President Donald J. Trump spoke this evening with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan. The two leaders exchanged views on the growing threat from North Korea, including their unity with respect to increasing pressure on the regime to change its dangerous path. They reaffirmed that the United States-Japan Alliance stands ready to defend and respond to any threat or action taken by North Korea. President Trump and Prime Minister Abe also discussed a range of other regional and global issues of mutual interest, and noted…
Text
USTR Lighthizer Calls a Special Session Under the U.S. Korea Free Trade Agreement [KOURS]
"United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer today, as directed by President Trump, formally notified the Republic of Korea that the United States is calling a special Joint Committee meeting under the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) to start the process of negotiating to remove barriers to U.S. trade and consider needed amendments to the agreement. The USTR acted in accord with the President’s intention of reducing the trade deficit and giving Americans a better chance to succeed in global markets. 'President Trump continues to keep…
Text
Joint Statement between the United States and the Republic of Korea
"President Donald J. Trump hosted President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea (ROK) at the White House on June 29 and 30 in order to advance the comprehensive strategic Alliance between the United States and the ROK and to deepen the two countries’ friendship. Since its founding, the Alliance has served as a linchpin for security, stability, and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula, in the Asia Pacific region, and increasingly around the world. As we mark the 67th anniversary of the outbreak of the…
Text
Secretary Ross Remarks on US - South Korea Trade
"The trade imbalance with South Korea has doubled since the KORUS treaty was put into effect, and the largest single component of that is automotive trade. That’s an absolute majority of it. So there are a lot of non-tariff trade barriers to U.S. exports. Only 25,000 cars per Big Three manufacturer are allowed in based on U.S. standards. Anything above that needs to be on Korean standards. So that kind of rulemaking affects quite a few industries and really restricts the access that U.S. companies…
Text
Secretary Tillerson's Press Availability With New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English
"SECRETARY TILLERSON: Well, thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, and let me thank you and also Foreign Minister Brownlee for the warm welcome. And I am really delighted that we were able to make this stop in New Zealand to reaffirm the strong partnership that exists between the United States and New Zealand. We had very productive discussions on many topics, as the prime minister just described to you.
This relationship between our two nations – I know, as I think many of you know, we…
Text
Press Briefing with Secretary Mattis Following the Australia-US Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN)
"The danger that we have faced over many, many years has built a sense of respect between our forces. I would remind you that after 9/11, when thousands of innocent people were murdered in America, including Australians, it was the Australians that were first to join us in the desert of Afghanistan in those uncertain days after 9/11, and we remain grateful for Australia’s alliance with us. Today, we still stand together in that fight, and certainly, our sympathies, our respects are with the people…
Text
Joint Statement AUSMIN [Australia-United States Ministerial] 2017
"On 5 June, Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop, and Minister for Defence Senator Marise Payne, hosted U.S. Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson, and Secretary of Defense James Mattis in Sydney for the annual Australia-United States Ministerial (AUSMIN) consultations. [...] Australia and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to the Alliance at AUSMIN 2017, and decided to further expand defence and security cooperation, including: a commitment to further strengthen the interoperability of our armed forces; and continued close collaboration on capability development and defence…
Text
Joint Statement AUSMIN [Australia-United States Ministerial] 2017
"On 5 June, Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop, and Minister for Defence Senator Marise Payne, hosted U.S. Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson, and Secretary of Defense James Mattis in Sydney for the annual Australia-United States Ministerial (AUSMIN) consultations.
AUSMIN 2017, the 27th AUSMIN meeting and the first under the Trump Administration, builds on the meeting between our leaders on May 4 in New York that demonstrated the continued closeness of the Australia-U.S. relationship. The strength and vitality of our Alliance is based on…