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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President Trump's Remarks in a Cabinet Meeting - China
"We’re in a position where we’re in very good shape with China. China wants to make a deal. And we’re just — I’m just saying they’re not ready yet. I told them, “You’re not ready to make a deal yet.” And I don’t blame China. I blame the people that were in charge of running our country, for allowing that to happen. China was taking out $500 billion a year — and more. And that should never have been allowed to happen.
But likewise, other…
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Secretary Mattis's Remarks en route to Vietnam - China
"We are cooperating where possible with China. You see that on DPRK, from the U.N. to -- to an area out there in the Pacific on the sanctions.And obviously, we're not out to contain China. We'd have taken an altogether different stance had that been considered. It has not been considered. But it's out mutual responsibility to responsibly manage differences.We remain highly concerned with continued militarization of features in the South China Sea. Plus, we look at the -- what we consider to be almost…
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Secretary Mattis's Remarks en route to Vietnam - China and the South China Sea
"Q: Mr. Secretary, could I ask you about China?SEC. MATTIS: Sure.Q: You -- you've made some remarks about it. The vice president laid out a -- in his speech, what he called a new approach to China, in which -- some of which seems aimed at being more confrontational in a variety of ways, but militarily, economically, et cetera.On the military front, your -- your meetings in Beijing were canceled. On the military front, are we seeing a more -- will we be seeing a…
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President Trump's Interview with 60 Minutes's Lesley Stahl - China
"Lesley Stahl: China.
President Donald Trump: I get along with him [North Korean Chairman Kim Jong Un]. It's very important. China, let's go.
Lesley Stahl: I'm skipping across the world here. You've slapped a lot of tariffs--
President Donald Trump: $250 billion.
Lesley Stahl: Gonna do more?
President Donald Trump: Might. Might.
Lesley Stahl: Round three?
President Donald Trump: They wanna negotiate, Lesley. They wanna negotiate.
Lesley Stahl: Are you ready?
President Donald Trump: Look.
Lesley Stahl: Are you ready to--
President Donald Trump: I…
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President Trump Remarks Before Marine One Departure - Trade with China
"Q (Inaudible) China is ready to negotiate again? China.
THE PRESIDENT: China wants to make a deal. China would love to make a deal. I don’t think they’re ready yet.
Q Why aren’t they ready yet? How will you know when they’re ready?
THE PRESIDENT: I just don’t think they’re ready yet. They’ve made too much money for too long. What they’ve done to our country is take out anywhere from $300 billion to $500 billion a year. Rebuilt China. I have great respect for…
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President Trump's Remarks During the Save Our Seas Act Signing Ceremony - China, Japan and the Philippines
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President Trump's Remarks Before Marine One Departure - China
Q Were you concerned about the way that China treated Secretary Pompeo when he was there on this most recent visit?
THE PRESIDENT: No. They’re just trying to get me a message. But those messages don’t work. They don’t work. But no, I think they treated him with great respect, actually. You know, they had meetings besides just the news conference. And I think they treated him with great respect.
He had a great meeting with North Korea. And China, it’s — it wasn’t so…
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks With Chinese Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission Office Yang Jiechi Before Their Meeting
"Director Yang, it’s good to see you. Thank you for hosting me today. I appreciate it. I look forward to a good conversation. As you said, there are many issues, places where we have disagreements, and it is worthy and important that we listen to each other and work through them to find constructive solutions so that we can get a good outcome for the two of our countries.
I’m pleased to share with you the work that I did this past couple of days…
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Remarks With Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi Before Their Meeting
"Thank you, Foreign Minister Wang. Thank you for welcoming me to Beijing. I did indeed want to come here to have discussions (inaudible) the issues that you’ve characterized we have a fundamental disagreement. We have grave concerns about the actions that China has taken, and I look forward to having the opportunity to discuss each of those today because this is an incredibly important relationship.
I do want to share with you my visit with Chairman Kim Jong-un yesterday and the progress we’ve made, and…