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 Pompeo's Interview With Hugh Hewitt of the Hugh Hewitt Show - China
"QUESTION: Now Mr. Secretary, you also noted in your speech about the INF [Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty] that there’s no advantage, no reason the United States should continue to cede this crucial military advantage to the revisionist powers like China, talking about China’s new missile capability. In the ’60 campaign, John F. Kennedy scored Richard Nixon for a missile gap. Do we presently have a, quote “hypersonics gap,” close quote, with China?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So I don’t want to say much about gaps because they…
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Interview With Lukas & Careth In The Morning, B98 FM - North Korea
"QUESTION: I love it. Okay, so you spent a lot of time in North Korea. We’re so interested in the – I mean, every time I turn on the TV you’re there and doing all the business that’s never been – never happened before in the history. Can you give us some details about that?
SECRETARY POMPEO: It’s been quite a experience to have the opportunity to try and figure out how to deliver for President Trump the outcome that Chairman Kim promised, right, to…
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks at the German Marshall Fund - China
"China’s economic development did not lead to an embrace of democracy and regional stability; it led to more political repression and regional provocations. We welcomed China into the liberal order, but never policed its behavior.
China has routinely exploited loopholes in the World Trade Organization rules, imposed market restrictions, forced technology transfers, and stolen intellectual property. And it knows that world opinion is powerless to stop its Orwellian human rights violations. [...]We announced our intent to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change, absent…
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks at the German Marshall Fund - North Korea
"Under President Trump, we are not abandoning international leadership or our friends in the international system. Indeed, quite the contrary. Just look, as one example, at the historic number of countries which have gotten on board our pressure campaign against North Korea. No other nation in the world could have rallied dozens of nations, from every corner of the world, to impose sanctions on the regime in Pyongyang."
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Thailand National Day
"On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I offer my sincerest and warmest wishes to the Kingdom of Thailand on your National Day. This year marked the 200-year anniversary of the historic U.S.-Thai friendship that has united our two nations through war and peace, hardship and prosperity. Under the leadership of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, Thailand continues to prosper, and both our nations benefit from our friendship and alliance as seen in the successful, Thai-led rescue of the Wild…
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Secretary Pompeo's Interview With Wolf Blitzer of CNN - North Korea
"QUESTION: When is the President going to meet again with the North Korean leader?
SECRETARY POMPEO: I don’t know. I hope it’ll happen pretty soon. We’re working hard at it. I think it’ll happen shortly after the first of the year but I don’t have any additional information to share with you this morning, Wolf.
QUESTION: What’s the problem right now with the North Koreans?
SECRETARY POMPEO: The progress – yes. Well, the progress we’ve made has been good.
QUESTION: No, what’s the problem?
SECRETARY…
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Lao People's Democratic Republic National Day
"On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, we send our congratulations on Laos’ National Day to President Bounnhang Vorachit and the people of Laos.
Our Comprehensive Partnership and Laos’ role as the U.S. Country Coordinator for ASEAN continues to strengthen our ties and yield new opportunities. The United States is honored to be a close and reliable partner with the people of Laos. Our steadfast support for Laos’ development goals, increasing commercial ties, and continued collaboration on war legacy and humanitarian…
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks in Remembrance of the Mumbai Attacks
"On behalf of the Government of the United States of America and all Americans, I express my solidarity with the people of India and the city of Mumbai on the 10th anniversary of the Mumbai terrorist attack. We stand with the families and friends of the victims, whose loved ones were lost in this act of barbarism, including six American citizens. The barbarity of 26/11 shocked the entire world.
It is an affront to the families of the victims that, after ten years, those who…
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Secretary Pompeo's Interview With George Lawson of KFDI News
"QUESTION: Can you talk about the working group that has been set up by the U.S. and South Korea on dealings with North Korea?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yes. That – it’s important as we work to denuclearize North Korea, as we work to fulfill the promises that were made between President Trump and Chairman Kim, there are lots of elements to them. One of them is the relationship between South Korea and North Korea, and the working group is designed to make sure that that effort…