The Trump Administration & US - Indo-Pacific Relations

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.

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Ambassador Lighthizer Lauds Japan’s Approval of the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement and the U.S.-Japan Digital Trade Agreement

"United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer issued the following statement today after Japan’s Diet approved the recently-signed U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement and the U.S.-Japan Digital Trade Agreement:

“I commend Japan’s quick action to approve these important trade agreements between our two nations, which are the world’s first and third largest economies. We expect the President to sign the implementing proclamation for the United States next week. The positive results the United States and Japan will gain from these agreements would not be possible without the strong…

Statement from President Trump on the Passing of Former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone

"On behalf of the American people, Melania and I offer our deepest condolences to the people of Japan and to the loved ones of former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone. We were saddened to learn of his passing in Tokyo on Friday.

Prime Minister Nakasone was, in the words of President Ronald Reagan, “a friend, a wise colleague, and the leader of America’s most important partner and ally in the Pacific.” The former Prime Minister’s efforts to strengthen the United States-Japan alliance and his commitment to…

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…

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…

Readout for Japan Bilateral Meeting ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus (ADMM+)

"Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper met with Defense Minister Kono Taro in Bangkok, Thailand on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting (Plus).

Both leaders reaffirmed that the U.S.-Japan Alliance remains the cornerstone for peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, and discussed ongoing efforts to strengthen the Alliance to meet the dynamic challenges of today’s security environment.

Secretary Esper and Minister Kono recommitted to maintaining a free and open region and a rules based order in the East and South China…

Secretary of Defense Esper Press Gaggle En Route to INDOPACOM [U.S. Indo-Pacific Command] - South Korea and North Korea

"SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MARK T. ESPER: Yeah, so as you all know, this is the beginning of my second visit to Asia as secretary of defense. We have multiple countries that we'll be visiting. Some are longstanding allies. Some are partners in different ways.

And the purpose, of course, is to reinforce the importance of allies and partners, discuss key issues to make sure that they understand clearly that the INDOPACOM theater is DOD's number one priority. And like I said, to discuss a…

Remarks by President Trump at the Economic Club of New York - China, Japan, and South Korea

"And I will tell you, when I signed — that was another one — Clean Waters of the United States — well, the Paris Accord, too — and I said, “This is going to take guts.” I just closed my eyes and I signed it. (Laughter.) I got one day of a big hit from some of the radical-left newspapers. And then after that, everybody thanks me. They thank me so profusely. You’re talking about trillions and trillions of dollars of destruction would have been…

Secretary Ross's Speech at the Indo-Pacific Business Forum

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…

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…

Statement from President Trump Regarding the Enthronement Ceremony of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan

"On behalf of the American people, Melania and I offer our warmest congratulations to the people of Japan on the occasion of the enthronement of the new Emperor and Empress. The advent of the imperial era known as “Reiwa,” meaning “beautiful harmony,” comes at a time in which the bonds of friendship between the American and Japanese people have never been stronger. Our global partnership is an unshakeable pillar of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and the world. It is a testament to…

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…