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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Secretary Michael R. Pompeo at the IISS Manama Dialogue - China
"[SECRETARY POMPEO:] This is the same fact, the same truth, of our policy towards the Chinese Communist Party. And while I won’t go into detail here, I hope to in – we have time together to talk. But for decades, the world had hoped that economic integration would lead to political liberalization – the China fantasy.
It didn’t happen. The Chinese Communist Party never wanted to behave like a normal regime, because at its core it’s not one. Like Iran, the party is a revolutionary…
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On the Political Persecution of Hong Kong Democracy Advocates
"The United States is appalled by the Hong Kong government’s political persecution of Hong Kong’s courageous pro-democracy advocates. The use of courts to silence peaceful dissent is a hallmark of authoritarian regimes and underscores once again that the Chinese Communist Party’s greatest fear is the free speech and free thinking of its own people.
Hong Kong historically benefitted from a free and open system that celebrated the peaceful advocacy of citizens like Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow, Ivan Lam, and Jimmy Lai. Hong Kong’s people should…
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Lao People’s Democratic Republic National Day
"On behalf of the Government of the United States and the American people, I extend best wishes on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
This is a notable year as our two nations also celebrate 65 years of diplomatic relations, and as we prepare to commemorate the 5th anniversary of our Comprehensive Partnership. Our relationship is built on mutual respect, ASEAN centrality, and a shared commitment to Lao sovereignty. Our bilateral cooperation is built on a…
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New Sanctions Under the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act (INKSNA)
"On Wednesday, November 25, 2020, the United States sanctioned four entities located in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Russia for supporting Iran’s missile program, under the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act (INKSNA). We imposed sanctions against Chengdu Best New Materials Co., Ltd. and Zibo Elim Trade Co., Ltd. in the PRC and against Nilco Group, which is also known as Nil Fam Khazar Company and Santers Holding, and Joint Stock Company Elecon in Russia for transferring sensitive technology and items to…
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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Countervailing Duty Determination for Twist Ties From China
"Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced an affirmative preliminary determination in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of twist ties from China. The Commerce Department preliminarily determined that exporters/producers from China received countervailable subsidies at a rate of 122.5 percent. Among the subsidies preliminarily countervailed is China’s undervalued currency – making this the first time Commerce has ever countervailed the Renminbi. This is the second time that Commerce has countervailed a foreign currency with a unitary exchange rate.
“Today’s preliminary determination reaffirms the…
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On the Presidential Elections in the Republic of Palau
"The United States congratulates Surangel Whipps Jr. on his election as the tenth President of the Republic of Palau. We also congratulate the people of the Republic of Palau on their admirable observance of the democratic process.
The United States and Palau have a special partnership, and we look forward to working with Palau’s newly elected government to deepen our relationship, address shared challenges, increase our defense cooperation, and to continue to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific."
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Joint Statement on Hong Kong
"We, the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, and the United States Secretary of State, reiterate our serious concern regarding China’s imposition of new rules to disqualify elected legislators in Hong Kong. Following the imposition of the National Security Law and postponement of September’s Legislative Council elections, this decision further undermines Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy and rights and freedoms.
China’s action is a clear breach of its international obligations under the legally binding, UN-registered Sino-British Joint Declaration. It…
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Joint Statement on Human Capital Development at the 8th ASEAN-U.S. Summit
"We, the Heads of State/Government of Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States of America, met via videoconference, on 14 November 2020, under Viet Nam’s 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship, on the occasion of the 8th ASEAN-U.S. Summit;
We underscored our shared commitment to strengthening the ASEAN-U.S. Strategic Partnership. We reiterated the importance of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), which is based on the principles of openness, transparency, inclusivity and a rules-based framework, among others. We also noted…
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Presidential Message on Diwali
"The First Lady and I send our warmest wishes to all those celebrating Diwali this week.
During this Festival of Lights, friends, neighbors, and loved ones join in fellowship to commemorate the spiritual triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. As diyas are lit throughout homes, workplaces, communities, and places of worship, their warmth reminds us of the hope and devotion that faith and tradition bring into our lives.
The United States is a deeply faithful nation, and I am…
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Secretary Pompeo With Hugh Hewitt of The Hugh Hewitt Show - Indo-Pacific
"QUESTION: Now, Mr. Secretary, I want to turn to the Chinese Communist Party and to the conservative realism about it that you and President Trump have articulated and defended. Do we expect, short term, more sanctions in December and January on entities like Huawei?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So I don’t want to get out in front of what decisions the President will make, but make no mistake about the work that we’re doing to counter the threat from the Chinese Communist Party continues. So there’s still…
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Disqualification of Pan-Democratic Lawmakers in Hong Kong
"Beijing’s onslaught against Hong Kong’s freedoms and liberties continues. The United States strongly condemns the “patriotism” resolution passed by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee on November 11, which disqualified four members of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council for exercising their mandates as lawmakers. This resolution tramples on the rights of the people of Hong Kong to choose their elected representatives as guaranteed by the Basic Law and further exposes Beijing’s blatant disregard for its international commitments under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, a U.N.-registered treaty. Beijing…
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks at the Ronald Reagan Institute - China
"Those pillars of strength and candor are also the foundation for America’s policy towards the world’s number-one threat to freedom today: the Chinese Communist Party.
I’ve spoken about this at great length, and I have borrowed from President Reagan with great frequency in how we think about this challenge. For 40 years-plus, we steered a course correction. We changed. Been handled with kid gloves and we had ignored all the contrary evidence that showed that the regime in Beijing really is troublesome. We showed what…