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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Vice President Mike Pence’s Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters of New Zealand
"Vice President Pence met today with Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters of New Zealand. The two reaffirmed the close strategic partnership between the United States and New Zealand and committed to maintaining the close ties of friendship between our two countries. Vice President Pence and Deputy Prime Minister Peters discussed the United States’ Indo-Pacific Strategy, with a particular focus on the Pacific Islands region. The Vice President welcomed the Deputy Prime Minister’s recent announcement of increased New Zealand assistance to Pacific Island nations. The two…
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Vice President Pence's Remarks at Announcement of the Papua New Guinea Electrification Partnership
"Prime Minister O’Neill, it is an honor to be with you here in Papua New Guinea for this historic announcement. And it is my great honor, on behalf on President Donald Trump, to join with Prime Minister Abe, Prime Minister Morrison, and Prime Minister Ardern in announcing the Papua New Guinea Electrification Partnership that will bring electricity to 70 percent of the people of Papua New Guinea by the year 2030.
Mr. Prime Minister, that is an extraordinary commitment on your part. It’s a reflection…
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Vice President Pence’s Meeting with Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia
"Vice President Pence met today with Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia in Port Moresby. Vice President Pence thanked Prime Minister Morrison for Australia’s continued efforts to enforce United Nations Security Council resolutions on North Korean maritime activities. The two leaders agreed on the need to continue engaging with all members of the international community to maintain pressure until North Korea implements its commitment to denuclearize. Vice President Pence and Prime Minister Morrison reviewed key APEC outcomes and discussed the Indo-Pacific region with a particular…
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Readout of Vice President Pence’s Meeting with Prime Minister Peter O’Neill of Papua New Guinea
"Vice President Pence met today with Prime Minister Peter O’Neill of Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby. Vice President Pence thanked Prime Minister O’Neill for Papua New Guinea’s leadership in hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings and recognized his government’s work on improving the lives of the people of Papua New Guinea. They noted the pivotal role played by the U.S. private sector in PNG’s current and future development, including Exxon Mobil’s $19 billion investment, and affirmed the continued role of such investment in realizing…
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Vice President Pence's Remarks at the 2018 APEC CEO Summit
"Thank you, Scott. And thank you all for that warm welcome. Prime Minister O’Neill, Chairman Taureka, representatives from across the region, leaders of the business community, and to all our distinguished guests, it’s my honor to join you here at the “premier economic forum” in the Indo-Pacific: the 2018 APEC CEO Summit. Thank you all for being here. (Applause.)
At this forum last year, President Donald Trump laid out the United States’ vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, where, in his words, “sovereign and…
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Vice President Pence and Prime Minister Lee of the Republic Of Singapore's Remarks in Joint Press Statements
"Thank you, Prime Minister Lee. Thank you for those wonderful words of friendship and partnership that has been forged through the generations, and for your leadership.Thank you all for the hospitality you’ve extended. And your entire team has been remarkable in the course of the summits that have been just been engaged.
But I must tell you, we are especially grateful to you, Mr. Prime Minister, and Mrs. Lee, for the warm welcome that you’ve extended to me and my wife Karen. And we love…
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Prepared Remarks for Vice President Pence at the East Asia Summit Plenary Session
- "It’s an honor to be here with so many leaders from across the Indo-Pacific at the 13th East Asia Summit. Prime Minister Lee, thank you once again for hosting this meeting in the beautiful and inspiring nation of Singapore.
- Last year, President Donald Trump attended this summit to lay out the United States’ vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. I’m here today to discuss the concrete steps we are taking to protect our nation, defend our allies and partners, and uphold the principles and that…
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Vice President Pence’s Meeting with President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea
"Vice President Mike Pence met today with President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea on the margins of the East Asia Summit. Vice President Pence and President Moon reaffirmed the U.S.-ROK Alliance as the linchpin of peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. They also discussed the ongoing efforts to accomplish our two countries’ mutual goals of achieving the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea, as agreed to by Chairman Kim, and establishing a permanent peace on the Korean…
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Vice President Pence’s Meeting with President Joko Widodo of Indonesia
"The Vice President met today with President Joko Widodo of Indonesia to reaffirm the United States-Indonesia Strategic Partnership. The Vice President conveyed condolences for the victims and families of those affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami in Sulawesi, Indonesia; the United States contributed almost $12 million in disaster assistance for relief efforts. The Vice President congratulated Indonesia on its selection to the United Nations Security Council in 2019. The two heads of delegation agreed to strengthen cooperation across security and economic issues, including maintaining…
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Remarks by Vice President Pence and Union Minister of Foreign Affairs and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma Before Bilateral Meeting
"The United States desires a prosperous, peaceful, successful civil society in Burma with a free and independent press. And I look forward to hearing from you about the progress of democratic reforms in Burma and how the United States might continue to support your leadership and the efforts on behalf of the people of your country.
I’m also very anxious to hear about the progress that’s being made regarding the Rohingya. This is a tragedy that has touched the hearts of millions of Americans. The…
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Readout of the Vice President’s Meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India
"Vice President Mike Pence met today with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India ahead of the East Asia Summit in Singapore. The two leaders reiterated the importance of the U.S.-India strategic partnership and of advancing our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. The Vice President and Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed the commitments of the two nations to strengthen security and counterterrorism cooperation and coordination. Vice President Pence also encouraged free, fair, and reciprocal trade with India."
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Remarks by Vice President Pence at the 6th U.S.-ASEAN Summit
"Your Majesty, your excellencies, it is my honor to join you all here at the 6th Summit between the United States of America and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Last year, President Trump attended this summit to share our nation’s vision of a “free and open Indo-Pacific.” And I am here on the President’s behalf to discuss our progress in making this vision a reality.
I spoke just a few moments ago with the President and he asked me to convey his regards and…