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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Readout of the Vice President’s Meetings with Australian Officials
"In addition to his meeting and press conference with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Vice President Mike Pence met today with Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, and Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove in Sydney, Australia. In his meetings, the Vice President underscored the United States’ unwavering commitment to the U.S.-Australia alliance and to the broader Asia-Pacific region. Vice President Pence conveyed the United States’ sincere appreciation for Australia’s significant contributions to Afghanistan and to defeating ISIS. He…
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Vice President Pence on US Refugee Deal with Australia
"President Trump has made it clear that we'll honor the agreement — that doesn't mean we admire the agreement.[ When asked if the Trump administration will uphold the refugee resettlement agreement that was agreed to under President Obama with Australia where refugees being held in Australian detention camps in Nauru and Papua New Guinea will come to the US."
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Readout of the Vice President’s Meeting with Interfaith Religious Leaders in Southeast Asia
Vice President Mike Pence participated in an interfaith dialogue with faith leaders of Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Confucianism at the conclusion of his tour of the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia. Vice President Pence expressed appreciation to Indonesia for its shared commitment to religious freedom and reaffirmed that the United States will continue to defend this fundamental freedom, at home and abroad.
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Readout of the Vice President’s Meeting with Vice President Jusuf Kalla and Indonesian Cabinet Ministers
"Today, Vice President Mike Pence met with Vice President Jusuf Kalla and Indonesian Cabinet Ministers in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Vice President reaffirmed the United States’ strong, enduring commitment to the Asia-Pacific region and the Strategic Partnership with Indonesia. Vice President Pence expressed appreciation to the Government of Indonesia for its commitment to tolerance and peace. The two agreed to strengthen cooperation across a range of bilateral and regional issues, including bilateral trade and investment."
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Remarks by the Vice President and Indonesian President Widodo to the Press
"I know I’m the first member of President Trump’s administration to visit Southeast Asia, and the President sent me here — sent me here as a sign of the high value the United States places on our strategic partnership with Indonesia. As the second and third largest democracies in the world, our two countries share many common values — including freedom, the rule of law, human rights, and religious diversity. [...] American companies have been doing business in Indonesia for years, and American products and…
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Vice President Pence Remarks on USS Ronald Reagan - Japan
“The U.S. will strengthen its presence in the Asia-Pacific. Japan will assume a larger role and responsibility in our alliance in the years ahead. Both of our nations will continue to expand our cooperation for our common defense. [...] Under President Trump, the U.S. commitment to Article 5 of our security treaty is unwavering, and the treaty covers all of the territories administered by Japan, including the Senkaku Islands.”
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Secretary Ross Meeting with Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Seko
"The U.S. is keen to increase trade with Japan through a trade agreement, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross told reporters on Tuesday morning after meeting Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko in Tokyo. 'We are certainly eager to increase our trade relationships with Japan and to do so in the form of an agreement,' Ross said when asked whether the two ministers had discussed a free trade agreement between the two countries. The Trump administration has expressed its intention to discuss a bilateral…
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Vice President Pence and Deputy Prime Minister Aso on the U.S.-Japan Economic Dialogue
"Vice President Mike Pence and Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso met today to launch the U.S.-Japan Economic Dialogue in Tokyo, Japan. In February, President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed to this Economic Dialogue when the two leaders met in Washington, D.C., as a way to deepen the strong economic ties between the United States and Japan. The Co-Chairs agreed to structure the Economic Dialogue along three policy pillars: Common Strategy on Trade and Investment Rules/Issues; Cooperation in Economic and Structural Policies…
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Vice President Pence’s Meeting with South Korean Speaker of the National Assembly Chung
"Vice President Mike Pence met with Speaker of the National Assembly, Chung Sye-kyun, in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The Vice President reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to our ironclad U.S.-ROK alliance and underscored the important role the alliance plays in upholding peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region. Vice President Pence and Speaker Chung discussed the importance of coordination and consultation to address the North Korean threat and underscored commitment to our ongoing bilateral efforts to deploy THAAD. The Vice President emphasized that whatever the outcome…
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President Trump's Call with Japanese Prime Minister Abe
"President Donald J. Trump spoke yesterday with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan about recent developments in Syria. The leaders agreed that Bashar al-Assad's use of chemical weapons against civilians, including women and children, was abhorrent and warranted a strong response from the international community. President Trump thanked Prime Minister Abe for his support for the United States missile strikes in Syria, and the two leaders pledged to show continued resolve in response to al-Assad's brutal actions. President Trump and Prime Minister Abe also agreed…