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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Remarks by President Trump and Chinese President Xi - Trade
"In addition to improving the safety and security of our citizens, President Xi and I discussed improving our economic relationship. We want a vibrant trade relationship with China. We also want a fair and reciprocal one. Today, I discussed with President Xi the chronic imbalance in our relationship as it pertains to trade, and the concrete steps that we'll jointly take to solve the problem of the massive trade distortion. This includes addressing China’s market access restrictions and technology transfer requirements, which prevent American companies…
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U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross Announces Hundreds of Billions in Deals Between U.S. Companies and Chinese Entities
"Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the signing of approximately a quarter trillion dollars in deals facilitated by the Department of Commerce between private U.S. businesses and Chinese entities. The agreements, most of which occurred as part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s 2017 U.S. CEO Delegation to China, will bring thousands of new jobs to America."
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Remarks by President Trump and President Moon of the Republic of Korea at State Dinner
"We'd like to do much more business with South Korea, where South Korea is going to order a lot more. But the good news is, you will be ordering. I mean, we've already worked on that. And through our representatives, the amount of [military] equipment and things that you'll be ordering from the United States will be very substantially increased and therefore we'll be bringing the trade deficit way down, which is very important to our people. We have trade deficits with numerous countries, and…
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Remarks by President Trump to U.S. and Japanese Business Leaders
"This morning, I am pleased to have an opportunity to discuss how we can strengthen and improve the economic ties between the United States and Japan. And I have to say, for the last many decades, Japan has been winning. You do know that. For the, actually, last 70 years, cooperation between our two countries has helped us to pioneer incredible advances in commerce, in science, medicine, and technology. Our students study together, our scholars exchange ideas, and business leaders like you work together to…
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President Trump's Remarks on US-China Trade Imbalances
"The problem we have with China is that for decades they've been -- you know, it's been a very unfair -- let me be very kind to previous administrations -- it's been a very unfair trade situation. Our trade deficit is massive. It's hundreds of billions of dollars a year, anywhere from $350 billion to $504 billion, and that doesn't include intellectual property. And we've already started discussions with China because it has to come down. It has to come down. And that has to…
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President Trump's Meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Abe
“President Trump and Prime Minister Abe reiterated their strong commitment to boost trilateral cooperation with the Republic of Korea in the face of the North Korean threat on anti-submarine warfare, ballistic missile defense, mine sweeping, and information sharing. The United States has already conducted joint exercises with Japan and the Republic of Korea in 2017. The two leaders announced new avenues for engagement to improve aviation and maritime interoperability and coordination. President Trump and Prime Minister Abe reaffirmed their commitment to the realignment of the…
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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Countervailing Determinations on Fine Denier Polyester Staple Fiber from the People’s Republic of China and India
"U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the affirmative preliminary determinations in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigations, finding that exporters of fine denier polyester staple fiber from the People’s Republic of China (China) and India received countervailable subsidies of 41.73 to 47.64 percent and 7.18 to 9.86 percent, respectively. [...] In 2016, imports of fine denier polyester staple fiber from China and India were valued at an estimated $79.4 million, $14.8 million, respectively."
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USTR Lighthizer Statement on the President's New Paradigm for US-Indo-Pacific Trade
"The President spoke loud and clear: the era of trade compromised by massive state intervention, subsidies, closed markets and mercantilism is ending. Free, fair and reciprocal trade that leads to market outcomes and greater prosperity is on the horizon. President Trump understands that too many nations talk about free trade abroad, only to shield their economies behind tariff and non-tariff barriers at home. The United States will no longer allow these actions to continue, and we are willing to use our economic leverage to pursue…
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USTR Lighthizer Statement on WTO Dispute on Indonesia's Agricultural Restrictions
“This is a significant win for U.S. farmers and ranchers. Given Indonesia’s market size and U.S. competitiveness, we should be selling many more agricultural products to Indonesian consumers. The Trump Administration will continue to use all our tools, including WTO dispute settlement and other mechanisms, to ensure that world-class U.S. agricultural products get fair access to markets around the world.”