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
All Posts
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Arrest of Eight Pan-Democratic Politicians in Hong Kong
"The United States strongly condemns the arrests of eight pan-democratic politicians in Hong Kong, including five sitting members of the Legislative Council. The arrest of these lawmakers six months after the incident in question is a clear abuse of law enforcement for political purposes. The Hong Kong government’s harassment and intimidation of pro-democracy representatives and attempts to stifle dissent are stark examples of its ongoing complicity with the authoritarian Chinese Communist Party, which seeks to dismantle the promised autonomy of Hong Kong and eviscerate respect…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Phuc
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Hanoi, Vietnam. Secretary Pompeo expressed condolences over the loss of life due to significant flooding as a result of Tropical Storm Linfa and Typhoon Molave and was pleased to announce an additional $2 million in USAID assistance to support response efforts, bringing total funding from the U.S. Government to more than $2.1 million to date. The Secretary congratulated the Prime Minister on Vietnam’s superb chairmanship of ASEAN during a…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Vietnamese Minister for Public Security Lam
"Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo met today with Vietnamese Minister for Public Security To Lam in Hanoi, Vietnam. Secretary Pompeo and Minister Lam emphasized the importance of growing bilateral security cooperation in the Mekong region and the benefits that a strengthened U.S. – Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership can bring to both of our nations."
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Minh READOUT
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh today in Hanoi, Vietnam. Secretary Pompeo and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Minh reaffirmed our expanding Comprehensive Partnership that spans political, security, economic and people-to-people ties as we celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations this year. The Secretary applauded Vietnam’s successful chairmanship of ASEAN during 2020. Secretary Pompeo underscored support for the sovereignty of Southeast Asian nations, international law, and a free and open Indo Pacific."
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today in Jakarta, Indonesia, with Indonesian President Joko Widodo. They discussed ways the United States and Indonesia can work together to promote a prosperous, secure, and democratic Indo-Pacific region, as well as strategies for building stronger economic ties between our two countries. Secretary Pompeo and President Joko Widodo also reviewed recent security developments across the Indo-Pacific and discussed ways to enhance cooperation on maritime security, supply chains, and post-pandemic economic recovery."
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Unalienable Rights and Traditions of Tolerance
"SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you for that kind introduction. Selamat siang to you all.
Mr. General Secretary, it is wonderful to be here. I have been looking forward to this since the day that we found a date that worked and were able to accept the invitation. It was most gracious of you to invite me here and I am ecstatic to be part of this event today.
I want to make sure and thank all the people who made this happen. I want to thank…
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Secretary Pompeo And Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi
"SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you very much. Madam Minister, thank you. Hello, everyone. It’s great to see you again, and it’s wonderful to be back here in Indonesia. I visited here early in my tenure as Secretary of State, but once was certainly not enough. Good to be back. It was important for me to return to keep strengthening this foundational, pivotal relationship in Southeast Asia.
And Madam Minister, I want to say to you how much I’ve appreciated your engagement on the Afghanistan peace process…
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Arrest and Detention of Student Democracy Activists in Hong Kong Under the National Security Law
"The United States strongly condemns the arrest and detention of three student democracy activists and calls on Hong Kong authorities to release those that remain detained immediately. The Beijing-controlled Hong Kong government continues to stifle dissent, repress public opinion, and use law enforcement for political purposes.
The People’s Republic of China has violated its international obligations under the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, while the Chinese Communist Party and its Hong Kong proxies crush the promised autonomy of Hong Kong, and eviscerate Hong Kong’s respect for…
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Designation of the National Association for China’s Peaceful Unification (NACPU) as a Foreign Mission of the PRC
"The United Front Work Department (UFWD) is the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) organ tasked with co-opting and neutralizing threats to the party’s rule and spreading its influence and propaganda overseas. The CCP regards this party apparatus as a “magic weapon” to advance Beijing’s policies.
Today, the Department of State designated a UFWD-controlled organization – the National Association for China’s Peaceful Unification (NACPU) – as a foreign mission of the PRC under the U.S. Foreign Missions Act. The goal of this action is to shine a…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Secretary Pompeo reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to a strong, sovereign Sri Lanka and to advancing our shared interests in a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Secretary Pompeo and President Rajapaksa discussed post-pandemic economic recovery and development and noted the benefits of long-term U.S. private sector trade and investment, which offers sustainable, transparent, and high-quality partnership. The Secretary also stressed the importance of strengthening democratic governance, human…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Maldivian President Solih
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in Malé, Maldives. Secretary Pompeo congratulated President Solih and the people of Maldives for their tremendous progress in strengthening democratic institutions and fostering civil society in recent years. Both welcomed the increasingly warm and close relationship between the United States and Maldives since our countries established diplomatic ties 54 years ago and hailed the decision to open a U.S. Embassy in Maldives as a milestone in our bilateral relationship. Secretary Pompeo…
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On U.S. Intent to Open an Embassy in Maldives
"I am pleased to announce that the United States intends to open an Embassy in Maldives with a resident U.S. Ambassador, reflecting the continued growth of the U.S.-Maldives relationship and underscoring the United States’ unshakeable commitment to Maldives and the Indo-Pacific region. In the decades since the United States and Maldives first established diplomatic ties in 1966, our countries have expanded cooperation on issues ranging from strengthening maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, to incentivizing the private sector, and countering terrorism. With support from the United…