The Trump Administration & US - Indo-Pacific Relations

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.

Methodology

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Remarks by President Trump at 5th U.S.-ASEAN Summit

"I'm honored to represent the United States of America at this U.S.-ASEAN Commemorative Summit. We gather today at a time of great promise and great challenge. I speak to you on behalf of 350 million Americans with a message of friendship and partnership. I'm here to advance peace, to promote security, and to work with you to achieve a truly free and open Indo-Pacific, where we are proud and we have sovereign nations, and we thrive, and everybody wants to prosper. This year we mark…

Remarks by President Trump at 5th U.S.-ASEAN Summit

"I speak to you on behalf of 350 million Americans with a message of friendship and partnership. I'm here to advance peace, to promote security, and to work with you to achieve a truly free and open Indo-Pacific, where we are proud and we have sovereign nations, and we thrive, and everybody wants to prosper. This year we mark 40 years of friendship and cooperation between the United States and this organization. It's a long time. I also want to congratulate ASEAN on 50 years…

President Trump's Meeting with Australian Prime Minister Turnbull and Japanese Prime Minister Abe

"President Donald J. Trump met with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull of Australia and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan today in Manila, Philippines. The three leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining maximum pressure on North Korea in the effort to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. They also discussed expanded security cooperation for enhanced deterrence and defense against North Korean aggression. President Trump, Prime Minister Turnbull, and Prime Minister Abe underscored the importance of working together to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The three leaders…

Joint Statement between the United States of America and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

"At the invitation of President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Tran Dai Quang, President of the United States of America Donald J. Trump paid a state visit to Hanoi, Vietnam, from November 11 to12, 2017. The two leaders discussed measures to strengthen and expand the Comprehensive Partnership between their two countries based on mutual understanding, shared interests, and a common desire to promote peace, cooperation, prosperity, and security in the Indo-Pacific region. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening ties on the basis of…

President Trump's Participation in the 25th APEC Summit

“President Trump and other APEC leaders underlined APEC’s crucial role in support of a trading system that is free and open, but also fair. APEC leaders recognized the importance of reciprocal and mutually advantageous trade and investment frameworks, and committed to work together to address unfair trade practices. The President and his counterparts urgently called for the removal of market-distorting subsidies and other types of support by governments and related entities. President Trump delivered a strong public message at the APEC CEO Summit that the…

Remarks by President Trump at APEC CEO Summit-Da Nang, Vietnam

"I am so thrilled to be here today at APEC, because this organization was founded to help achieve that very purpose. America stands as a proud member of the community of nations who make a home on the Pacific. We have been an active partner in this region since we first won independence ourselves. [...] We have been friends, partners, and allies in the Indo-Pacific for a long, long time, and we will be friends, partners, and allies for a long time to come. As…

Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Indonesian Minister of Defense Ryamizard

"On October 25, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met with Indonesian Minister of Defense Ryamizard Ryacudu on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Clark, Pampanga, Republic of the Philippines.‎ The two leaders exchanged views on regional security and emphasized the need for continued ASEAN centrality and cooperation to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific that safeguards the rules-based international order. The Secretary shared Minister Ryamizard’s concerns regarding violent extremism, particularly the threat posed by ISIS and other terrorist organizations. The two…

Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Indian Minister of Defence Sitharaman

"Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met with Indian Minister of Defence Nirmala Sitharaman October 25 on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines.‎ Both agreed on the importance of a rules-based international order in which all nations are able to prosper, and the need to work together against the common threat of terrorism. The two discussed a range of initiatives to strengthen U.S.-India defense cooperation and enhance India’s leadership role in the Indo-Pacific. In particular, the two emphasized the…

Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Philippine President Duterte

"Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met Oct. 24 with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) that convened in Clark, the Philippines. They discussed the strength of the U.S.-Philippines relationship and Secretary Mattis reaffirmed our ironclad commitment to the U.S.-Philippines Alliance. Secretary Mattis and President Duterte exchanged views on the importance of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific built on the foundations of a shared rules-based international order. Secretary Mattis reaffirmed U.S. resolve to stand by its long-time…

Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Lorenzana

"Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met Oct. 24 with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) convened in Clark, the Philippines. The two leaders discussed the depth and breadth of the U.S.-Philippines relationship, including the enduring people-to-people ties between the two nations. Secretary Mattis reaffirmed the United States' ironclad commitment to the U.S.-Philippines Alliance and the importance of strengthening defense capabilities through regular bilateral training and exercises. Secretary Mattis and Secretary Lorenzana exchanged views on…

Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Malaysian Minister of Defense Hishammuddin

"Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met today with Malaysian Minister of Defense Hishammuddin Tun Hussein on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) convened in Clark, the Philippines. The secretary and Minister Hishammuddin exchanged views on regional security and emphasized the need for continued ASEAN centrality to address shared security challenges facing Southeast Asia. The two leaders discussed the importance of a free and open Indo-Asian Pacific that safeguards freedom of navigation through a rules-based international order. Secretary Mattis and Minister Hishammuddin agreed…

Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Vietnamese Minister of National Defense Lich

"Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met with Vietnam Minister of National Defense Ngo Xuan Lich on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines. The two leaders exchanged views on regional security and emphasized the need for continued ASEAN cooperation to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. They also reaffirmed their intention to deepen the bilateral defense relationship, particularly in the area of maritime security, and highlighted progress made since their August meeting in Washington. Secretary Mattis underscored the United…