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 Remarks on the Republic of Korea [South Korea]'s Chuseok Holiday
"On behalf of the Government of the United States of America and the American people, I would like to wish the Korean people a very warm Chuseok holiday. During this time for homecoming and family gatherings, good food, and friendly gifts, we join you in giving thanks for the many blessings of this life and connecting with loved ones.
On this day of reflection, thanksgiving, and family, we are reminded of the strength of the U.S.-Republic of Korea Alliance that is based on our shared…
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Secretary Pompeo's Interview with Laura Ingraham of Fox News - Human Rights in China
"QUESTION: The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom lists China and Saudi Arabia right in – well, one, and I think Saudi Arabia is number three – of the worst violators of human rights. I was thinking about this yesterday, because you think of the old Soviet Union and President Reagan, who both of us admire so much; we didn’t do that, really heavily engage trade with the Soviet Union – not just because of nukes, but because of what they were doing on human…
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks on the Outcome of Summit Meeting Between South Korea's President Moon and North Korea's Chairman Kim
"The United States congratulates President Moon Jae-in and Chairman Kim Jong Un on the successful outcome of their summit meeting in Pyongyang.
We welcome President Moon and Chairman Kim’s reaffirmation of the Singapore joint statement of complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, including the permanent dismantlement of all facilities at Yongbyon in the presence of U.S. and IAEA inspectors.
We also welcome Chairman Kim’s decision to complete the previously announced dismantlement of the Tongchang-ri site in the presence of U.S. and international inspectors as a…
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Secretary Pompeo's Interview With Laura Ingraham of Fox News - South China Sea
"QUESTION: We’ll leave China in just a moment, but the South China Sea, I think it’s an underreported story. I know you just met with the leadership from the Philippines here. They were talking to China about some type of agreement. Real concerns about that, that trading path – $3.3 trillion worth of goods go through the South China Sea, and China has very strong territorial ambitions to dominate it.
SECRETARY POMPEO: They do. This was a place that this administration found itself when it…
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Secretary Pompeo's Interview With Laura Ingraham of Fox News - North Korea
"QUESTION: There was concern from the foreign policy elites, Mr. Secretary, early on and expressed throughout this administration that, oh, the Trump team kind of bumbles through these events; they go out and promise a lot but then the deliverables aren’t there. Of course, they cite North Korea – North Korea is not denuclearizing at a pace that maybe we thought they would, and so forth. But what’s the real status with our relationship with Europe and our relationship with the North Korean leadership given…
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Secretary Pompeo's Call With Republic of Korea's Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha
"Secretary Michael R. Pompeo spoke by phone yesterday and again today with Foreign Minister Kang of the Republic of Korea. They discussed ROK President Moon Jae-in’s upcoming Summit with the DPRK’s Chairman, Kim Jong Un. In addition, Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Kang vowed to maintain close coordination on continuing DPRK denuclearization efforts and inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation. Both sides affirmed the strength of the U.S.-ROK Alliance and the importance to maintain pressure until we achieve the shared goal of final, fully verified denuclearization of…
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Joint Statement on the Inaugural U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue
"The Ministers reaffirmed the strategic importance of India’s designation as a Major Defense Partner (MDP) of the United States and committed to expand the scope of India’s MDP status and take mutually agreed upon steps to strengthen defense ties further and promote better defense and security coordination and cooperation. They noted the rapid growth in bilateral defense trade and the qualitative improvement in levels of technology and equipment offered by the United States to India in recent years. They welcomed the inclusion of India by…
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Secretary Pompeo's Opening Remarks at the U.S.-India 2+2 Dialogue
"I am delighted to be making my first trip to India as the Secretary of State now 16 weeks into my time, and especially because I’m here for this important first 2+2 Strategic Dialogue between our two countries. It is a clear demonstration the United States places in terms of priority on the relationship between the United States and India.
Our partnership has been steadily growing since Prime Minister Modi visited the White House last June. President Trump is eager for it to continue, and…
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Secretary Pompeo's Meeting With Indian Foreign Minister Swaraj
"Secretary Pompeo met today in New Delhi, India with Indian Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj ahead of the opening of the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. Secretary Pompeo and Minister Swaraj discussed joint efforts to promote a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific. The Secretary and Minister Swaraj also discussed efforts to expand the bilateral trade relationship, the importance of moving forward on civil-nuclear cooperation, and the goal of deepening people-to-people ties."
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks on India and North Korea
North Korea
"So as I’ve said consistently as we’ve been continuing to work with the North Koreans to deliver on the world’s demands, the UN Security Council resolutions, which demand a number of things from North Korea and from no one else. There’s only country that has a commitment under those Security Council resolutions.
As I’ve said before, I’m not going to talk about ongoing negotiations, discussions that we’re having, with the North Koreans. We will work – we will continue to work with them to…
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Secretary Pompeo's Closing Remarks at the U.S.-India 2+2 Dialogue
"This is my first trip to India as Secretary of State, and it is an honor to travel here for such an important and successful event. Later today, Secretary Mattis and I will meet with Prime Minister Modi. We look forward to discussing how best to advance the U.S.-India relationship, one that is in a new era of growth under his leadership and that of President Trump.
Today’s 2+2 meeting is symbolic of our increasingly close partnership. We had many productive and forward-thinking conversations on…