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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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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USTR Welcomes Passage of Amendments to Korea’s Distant Water Fisheries Development Act Following First Ever Environment Consultations under the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement
"The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) welcomes passage by Korea’s National Assembly of amendments to Korea’s Distant Water Fisheries Development Act. This action follows the first ever environment consultations under the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) wherein the United States raised concerns regarding Korea’s response to the illegal fishing activities of its vessels. USTR applauds the significant efforts Korea has made to strengthen its regime to deter and penalize illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. USTR, the National Marine Fisheries Service…
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Remarks by President Trump in Cabinet Meeting - South Korea and China
"So the economy is doing fantastically well. We want to vote on USMCA. We have other trade deals that we’ve done. We’ve done South Korea, which is a fantastic deal for us; it turned out even better than we thought. South Korea was a terrible deal. [...]China is doing very poorly — worst year they’ve had in 57 years. I wonder why. I wonder why. I’m sure you can’t figure it out.
And we’re doing great. We’re taking in billions and billions of dollars in…
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Secretary Ross's Comments at the Federalist Society on US Trade Policy Towards the Indo-Pacific
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Op-Ed by Secretary Ross - China, Japan, and South Korea
"Thanks to President Donald J. Trump, the United States is no longer subsidizing the growth of other countries at the expense of American jobs and American wages. In the post-World War II world, the United States helped rebuild the economies of our allies and friends in Europe, Asia and South America through enervating trade agreements or by looking the other way in the face of predatory trade policies. But as many of these countries grew into economic behemoths, America’s trade policy did not change.
Permanent…
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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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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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Remarks by Vice President Pence at the Lord Mayor’s International Trade Dinner - South Korea, Japan, and China
"And since we took office, the President has pursued an ambitious trade agenda built on the principles of free and fair and reciprocal trade. We made a new trade deal with South Korea. We reached an agreement in principle with Japan for a free trade agreement. We’ve put China on notice. We ended the era of economic surrender by using the power of the United States economy. And this morning, we announced that negotiations on a new trade deal with China will resume in October."
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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…
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Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure - China and North Korea
"THE PRESIDENT: We’re going to France. We’re going to have a good few days. I think it will be very productive seeing a lot of the leaders, who are friends of mine, for the most part. I wouldn’t say in a hundred percent of the cases, but for the most part.
And I think we’re doing very well. Our economy is doing great.
We’re having a little spat with China, and we’ll win it. We put a lot of tariffs on China today, as you…
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The Republic of Korea’s Independence Day
"On behalf of President Trump and the United States of America, I extend my congratulations to the people of the Republic of Korea on the occasion of your National Day on August 15.
On this day, we reaffirm the enduring strength of the United States–Republic of Korea alliance, which remains the linchpin of peace and security in Northeast Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region. Our bilateral partnership continues to thrive based on shared values of freedom and democracy as we work together on many global…