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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Readout of Secretary Esper's Bilateral Engagement With India Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh
"Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper met with Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh of India to reaffirm our shared commitment to democratic values and a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Noting the importance both countries place on engagement with Southeast Asia, Secretary Esper highlighted opportunities to increase U.S.-India collaboration across the region and reinforce our commitment to a rules-based security architecture with ASEAN at its core. The Secretary also welcomed the deepening security ties between India and the United States—including the first-ever US-India tri-service exercise…
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Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure - China and India
"Q On China, can you tell me whether a tariff rollback will be part of the phase-one China deal?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, they’d like to have a rollback. I haven’t agreed to anything. China would like to get somewhat of a rollback — not a complete rollback, because they know I won’t do it.
But we’re getting along very well with China. They want to make a deal. Frankly, they want to make a deal a lot more than I do. I’m very happy right…
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Secretary Ross's Op-Ed in fox Business on US Trade with the Indo-Pacific
"A renewed partnership, a transformative vision. This is what President Donald J. Trump outlined for United States and Indo-Pacific relations almost two years ago in Da Nang, Vietnam, and it is what the United States is championing now at the Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Bangkok, Thailand.
During the second half of a historic trip in 2017 that also featured stops in Japan, South Korea, China and the Philippines, President Trump laid out an optimistic view of future ties between the United States and its partners…
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From vision to reality: Building a new Indo-Pacific
"A renewed partnership, a transformative vision. This is what President Donald J. Trump outlined for United States and Indo-Pacific relations almost two years ago in Da Nang, Vietnam, and it is what the US is championing now at the Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Bangkok, Thailand.
During the second half of a historic trip in 2017 that also featured stops in Japan, South Korea, China, and the Philippines, President Trump laid out an optimistic view of future ties between the US and its partners in the…
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United States Wins WTO Challenge to Indian Export Subsidies
"A World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute panel agreed with the United States that India provides prohibited export subsidies to Indian exporters worth over $7 billion annually. According to the panel, India gives prohibited subsidies to producers of steel products, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, information technology products, textiles, and apparel, to the detriment of American workers and manufacturers.
“This is a resounding victory for the United States,” said U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. “Under the leadership of President Trump, the United States is using every available tool…
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Presidential Message on Diwali, 2019
"As Diwali commences, Melania and I wish those observing the Festival of Lights a blessed and happy celebration.
For many Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists in the United States and around the globe, this sacred period is an opportunity to commemorate the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Throughout this holy time, members of these faiths engage in prayer, light diyas and lanterns, and partake in traditional feasts and other festivities with friends and family.
The observance of Diwali…
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks at The Heritage Foundation
"The truth is that China is a strategic competitor at best that uses coercion and corruption as its tools of statecraft. (Applause.) The truth is that we can’t rely on failed strategies to convince Chairman Kim to give up his nuclear weapons; there’s still much work to be done. [...]And I traveled not just to Australia, India, and Thailand to present our vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, but I also had the opportunity to be the first Secretary of State in history to…
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Readout of Secretary Ross's Trip to the Indo-Pacific Secretary of Commerce Travels to the United Kingdom, Asia, and Australia to Advocate for American Workers
"Beginning with his remarks at the World Economic Forum in New Delhi, Secretary Ross met with Minister of Commerce and Industry and Railways Piyush Goyal to stress the positive trends of the U.S.-India trade relationship. He later joined Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister Goyal in bilateral meetings to advance U.S. commercial interests. Subsequently in Bangalore, Secretary Ross met with Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman K. Sivan to learn more about potential collaborations for U.S. and Indian space entities.
While in Singapore, Secretary Ross…