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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As Prepared Remarks by Secretary Esper at the German Marshall Fund in Brussels - China
"Throughout my travels over my first three months as Secretary of Defense, I heard first-hand from allies and partners around the world about the damage that is being done. China’s “One-Belt, One-Road” Initiative has left several nations with unsustainable debt, forcing them to trade sovereignty for financial relief. Even developed nations fear China’s growing leverage, which not only impacts their economic and political decisions, but perhaps worse, leads them to make sub-optimal security decisions.
I would caution my friends in Europe against adopting the mindset…
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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…
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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…
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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 Pompeo With Wilfred Frost of CNBC Closing Bell - China
"QUESTION: We wanted to start on China and to ask to what extent their actions – whether that is limiting democracy in Hong Kong or other actions altogether – to what extent that’s been bad enough that U.S. companies should be criticized for making profit in China.
SECRETARY POMPEO: Look, every company’s got to make its own set of decisions, but what we’ve seen over the last few weeks publicly – but we’ve known now for an awfully long time – is that the long…
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Readout of Secretary Ross's Trip to the Indo-Pacific Secretary of Commerce Travels to the United Kingdom, Asia, and Australia to Advocate for American Workers
"Beginning with his remarks at the World Economic Forum in New Delhi, Secretary Ross met with Minister of Commerce and Industry and Railways Piyush Goyal to stress the positive trends of the U.S.-India trade relationship. He later joined Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister Goyal in bilateral meetings to advance U.S. commercial interests. Subsequently in Bangalore, Secretary Ross met with Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman K. Sivan to learn more about potential collaborations for U.S. and Indian space entities.
While in Singapore, Secretary Ross…
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Aftermath of Typhoon Hagibis
"On behalf of the American people, we express to our friend and ally Japan our deepest condolences for the loss of life and damage caused by Typhoon Hagibis. We stand by the people of Japan during this difficult time and offer our sincere hopes for Japan’s quick recovery from this disaster."
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President Trump's Remarks on Trade Negotiations with China
"Our farmers now have been taken care of well. China has already started their purchases. There was some misreporting, which does not — frankly, I’m not at all surprised — but there’s been some misreporting that China will start purchasing when the deal is signed.
The deal is being papered right now. Bob Lighthizer is with us. Mike Pompeo is with us. And they’re going to be joining us for the discussion.
But there have been some reports that China is not buying until the…
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Secretary Pompeo With Maria Bartiromo of Mornings with Maria On Fox Business Network - China
"QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, let me ask you about the unrest in Hong Kong. China is threatening to counter-measure if the U.S. enacts legislation to support pro-democracy protestors, all in the face of them saying that they want to do a trade deal with the United States. What’s your reaction to that?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Back to first principles again, Maria. Our mission with respect to China is to make sure that we get from the Chinese a set of fair relationships. It’s not just trade. There…