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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Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure - China and North Korea
Q Sir, what did you say to the Chinese about the Bidens, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: I don’t know. Somebody said that a long time ago. Was that in 2017? I don’t know. You’d have to tell me when. All I can tell you is this: When I speak to foreign leaders, I speak in an appropriate way. If you notice, they don’t mention the call that I had with the President of Ukraine. They don’t mention that because it was so good.
The only time…
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks to the Holy See Symposium on Working with Faith-Based Organizations: “Human Dignity and Faith in Free Societies”
"A story. Last week in New York City, in a packed conference room in the Palace Hotel, three ethnic Uighurs took the stage at an event organized by the United States Department of State. One of them was a woman named Zumrat Dawat.
In April of last year, Mrs. Dawat – a 30-something, mother of three – was summoned to the local police station in Xinjiang, China. She was shackled, interrogated, and taken to an internment camp, where she was forced to recite Chinese propaganda…
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Secretary Michael R. Pompeo at a Press Availability - North Korea
"QUESTION: Good morning, Mr. Secretary. Ben Marks with NHK. On North Korea, the North Koreans said that they had intentions to meet with the U.S. some time this month, yet the foreign minister did not come to UNGA this year. I’d just like to get your reaction on that. And are there any concrete planned meetings in the near future between the U.S. and North Korea?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So we’ve seen these public statements that indicated that we were hopeful there’d be meetings – working-level…
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Remarks by President Trump and President Moon of the Republic of Korea Before Bilateral Meeting - North Korea
"PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, thank you very much. We’re pleased to be with President Moon of South Korea. We have a long-term friendship, and we are making a lot of progress. We are working on tremendous trade deals. We — as you know, we’ve completed a trade deal, and that’s working out very well for both countries. That deal is completed now, and it’s been in existence for — solidly in existence for six months. And it’s been very good.
And we intend to do some…
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Remarks by President Trump and Prime Minister Lee of Singapore Before Bilateral Meeting - North Korea
"PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, thank you very much. As we just said, we signed a very important agreement having to do with defense and mutual defense, and I guess you could say mutual offense, also.
But we — we’re now going to talk about trade. We do tremendous amounts of trade with Singapore. And the Prime Minister — highly respected. One of the truly most respected men anywhere in the world. And he’s been my friend for a long time. And we’re doing very well. But…
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Remarks by President Trump and Crown Prince Salman of Bahrain Before Bilateral Meeting - North Korea
"Q Did Chairman Kim invite you to North Korea in that (inaudible)?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: I don’t want to comment on that.
Q Okay.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: The relationship is very good, but I don’t want to comment on it.
Q Would you be willing to go there?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: I just don’t think it’s appropriate for me to comment.
Q Would you be willing to go to North Korea?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Probably not. I don’t think it’s ready. I don’t think we’re ready for that. I…
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The Republic of Korea’s Chuseok Holiday
"On behalf of the United States Government and its people, I would like to wish the people of South and North Korea, and Koreans around the world, a happy Chuseok holiday. During this time of homecoming and gift giving, of food and family, we are all reminded to pause and give thanks for the many blessings of this life.
We also take this time of contemplation to recognize the strength of our alliance with the Republic of Korea, which stands on a solid foundation of…
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Secretary Michael R. Pompeo With Rick Everett of KQAM - North Korea and China
"QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, an upcoming United Nations meeting – conference in New York. Do you have expectations or anticipations of positives that may come of that for the United States?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So yes, the world will be gathered at the UN in the – goodness, it’s the third week of September. Leaders from all around the world will come together.
I hope we can do a handful of things. I hope we can continue to make progress on the denuclearization of North Korea. I…
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Secretary Michael R. Pompeo With George Stephanopoulos of ABC’s This Week - North Korea
"QUESTION: Meantime, on North Korea, their nuclear program, the talks have stalled since the Hanoi summit, and North Korea continues to test missiles. U.S. intelligence has concluded that they continue to add to their stockpile of nuclear weapons fuel as well. Are you concerned at all that Kim Jong-un is stringing President Trump along?
SECRETARY POMPEO: George, we took office with nuclear tests being conducted and long-range missile tests being conducted with all too great a frequency. President Trump and my team have been working…
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Secretary Michael R. Pompeo with Pete Mundo of KCMO - North Korea
"QUESTION: Well, it’s great to have you back in the state. And I know you obviously have a lot on your plate around the world right now. It’s – there’s never a slow time for you, even though it might be slow for Congress right now. When you look at what is happening right now, Mr. Secretary, with North Korea and some of the missile tests that they are undergoing, it seems like there have been corners of the administration that don’t seem overly concerned…
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Remarks by Vice President Pence at the 101st American Legion National Convention - China and North Korea
"We’ve put China on notice that we will no longer tolerate their unfair and abusive trade practices. And the United States military will ensure the freedom of navigation on the Seven Seas around the world. (Applause.) [...]
Beyond that, from the outset of this administration, this President also stood strong against North Korean aggression, and now North Korea is at the negotiating table. As I stand before you today, there’s no more nuclear tests, no more threats against America. Three historic meetings have taken place. And…
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Department of Defense Press Briefing by Secretary Esper - China, North Korea, Japan, and South Korea
"Earlier this month, I traveled to the Indo-Pacific region on my first overseas trip. Many of you traveled with me. That region is our priority theater, so it was important to demonstrate my commitment to our allies and partners there and to hear firsthand from my foreign counterparts and heads of state.
Together, we are committed to defending our shared values and upholding core principles such as respect for all nations' sovereignty, adherence to international rules and norms, and to our mutual security.
It is…