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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Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure - South Korea and China
"Q (Inaudible.) South Korea and Japan exports are (inaudible.)
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah. South Korea and I have made a deal. They’ve agreed to pay a lot more money toward the United States. As you know, we’ve got 32,000 soldiers on South Korean soil, and we’ve been helping them for about 82 years. And we get nothing. We get virtually nothing. And South Korea and I have made a deal where they’re paying a lot more money, and they’re going to pay a lot more money…
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The 52nd Anniversary of the Founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
"On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I’m pleased to congratulate the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the ASEAN Secretariat on the 52nd anniversary of the founding of ASEAN on August 8. Throughout its history, ASEAN has helped foster a more stable, prosperous, and peaceful region. The United States remains committed to ASEAN’s central role in the region.
The strategic partnership between the United States and ASEAN contributes to our shared vision of a…
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Readout of Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper's Meetings in Japan
"Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper met with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Masahisa Sato in Tokyo today as the fourth stop in his first visit to the Indo-Pacific region since assuming his position. During all of his meetings, Secretary Esper emphasized the increasingly important role the U.S.-Japan alliance plays in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region, reaffirmed commitment to achieving the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea, and…
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Media Availability by Secretary Esper En Route to Tokyo
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MARK T. ESPER: Yeah, so first things first.
First good few days, and -- in Australia and -- and New Zealand. I think I often just (inaudible) since I had a chance in each country to meet with my counterpart and fellow defense minister and I had a chance to meet with the foreign ministers, and I had a chance to even meet with -- or chat with the prime ministers of each country. So very good -- very good in that…
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Remarks by Vice President Pence in Fireside Chat with Mike Farris of the Alliance Defending Freedom - China and New Zealand
"MR. FARRIS: You recently spoke at the extraordinary event sponsored by Secretary Pompeo, the Ministerial on International Religious Freedom. And I know this has been an important issue for you for many years. Can you tell us what you think the state of the world is on religious freedom — not just for Christians, but for people of all faith?
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, first, let me again say how grateful I am that President Trump has made religious liberty around the world a priority…
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Joint Statement on Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) 2019
"The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and Australia following the 29th Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN).
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'Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne and Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds hosted Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper on 4 August in Sydney for the 29th Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) to deepen economic, security, and strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and globally.
As Prime Minister Morrison and President…