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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Readout of Vice President Mike Pence’s Meeting with the International Religious Freedom Roundtable - China
"Vice President Pence met today with several champions of religious freedom. Joined by Ambassador for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback, the Vice President reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to stand with people of every faith in every country around the world, including in the People’s Republic of China where the administration will continue to call upon Beijing to respect the rights enshrined in China’s constitution to allow Muslim, Buddhist, and Christian believers throughout the country the freedom to practice their faiths."
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Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo with Peta Credlin of Sky News - Indo-Pacific and China
"QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, welcome. You’re in Australia for the AUSMIN talks, the annual talks with defense and foreign affairs ministers here in Australia. They happen annually, as I said. On your way here, you were part of the trilateral dialogue – Australia, the United States, and Japan. You made some really strong comments about your return to the region, renewed focus in our region. Today you reiterated that the U.S. is a Pacific power and you’re here to stay. In practical terms, what does that…
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Readout of Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper's Meeting with New Zealand Minister of Defense Ronald Mark
"Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper met with New Zealand's Minister for Defense Ronald Mark in Auckland today to discuss the U.S.-New Zealand defense relationship.
The two discussed shared collaboration on regional security issues, particularly in the Pacific Islands, and areas to strengthen U.S.-New Zealand defense cooperation.
Secretary Esper expressed appreciation for New Zealand's participation in the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, the D-ISIS Coalition, and participation in the multinational Enforcement Coordination Cell for United Nations Security Council Resolution on North Korea.
The leaders…
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Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo At a Wreath Laying at the Memorial to Federated States of Micronesia Veterans of U.S. Armed Forces
"SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you, President Panuelo and First Lady. Thank you for hosting us. And we’re thankful for the opportunity to commemorate the sons and daughters of Micronesia who served in the United States armed forces and who paid the ultimate price. Many of your citizens join our young men and women in putting their lives at risk on behalf of freedom and democracy around the world, and America appreciates their willingness to serve on our nation’s behalf.
Today we all have the privilege of…
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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…
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Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Pacific Islands Leaders at Press Availability
"SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you, President Panuelo and President Heine, and Vice President Oilouch. Thank you for the positive, productive meetings today. It is the case, when we flew in, it was absolutely beautiful, and for anyone watching, this is a great place just to come visit. All of them, not just here, but the Marshall Islands as well as Palau. I would encourage everyone to come, bring your family, spend money, and you will be – you will love to meet the wonderful people of…
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Esper Emphasizes Importance of Indo-Pacific to United States
"I want to go out to the theater, visit with some of our longest standing allies, and new partners, and to affirm our commitment to the region to reassure our allies and our partners, and to make sure they understand that it's not just the department's commitment, but my personal commitment and the United States' commitment to this region[.]" [...]"We want to develop this capability and making sure we can have long-range precision fires, not just for that theater, but for the theater that we're…