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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Secretary Esper Meeting With Australian Minister of Defense Reynolds
"Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper met today with Australia’s Minister for Defense Linda Reynolds at Victoria Barracks in Sydney, Australia.
The two leaders affirmed the strong defense relationship between Australia and the United States and committed to deepen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and around the globe. The secretary expressed appreciation for Australia's continued participation in the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, as well as to coalition operations in Iraq and Syria. He promised close consultation on the way ahead in the Middle East…
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Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo “The Unbreakable Alliance” - Australia
"SECRETARY POMPEO: [...] I wanted to get here. It was important for me to get down here. American diplomacy depends on showing up, especially talk with your closest friends, not give lectures. This is a new era. America doesn’t do that. The Trump administration knows you’re a partner, we are not your professor.
I want to tell you about a story, about a man who epitomized what our friendship is all about here. Your prime minister told it to President Trump last year, but it’s…
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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…
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Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Marise Payne, and Australian Minister of Defense Linda Reynolds at a Press Availability - Indo-Pacific and China
"SECRETARY POMPEO [...]: Let me be clear: The United States is a Pacific nation. We care deeply about what happens here and we’re here to stay. And I want all Australians to know they can always rely on the United States of America. And just as we talk about Britain as a special relationship, we think of this as an unbreakable relationship. It’s grounded in our shared values of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.
I – as Foreign Minister Payne said, I…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono
"Secretary Michael R. Pompeo met yesterday with Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono in Bangkok, Thailand on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum. They reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-ROK-Japan relationship, their shared commitment to the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK, and to continue working closely to address common challenges in the Indo-Pacific."
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Secretary Pompeo On The U.S. In Asia: Economic Engagement for Good
"SECRETARY POMPEO: Good morning, everyone. Peter, thank you for the kind introduction. I also want to thank the Siam Society and your president for hosting me. I know too we have many prominent businesspeople here in the room with us today.
I want to recognize Greg Bastion, the president of AmCham Thailand. He’s a West Point grad, so that’s always good.
I especially want to thank the incoming Thai ambassador to the United States as well for joining us here today. Thank you for being…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Indian Minister of External Affairs Jaishankar
"Secretary Michael R. Pompeo met in Bangkok, Thailand with Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on August 2. The two discussed our shared commitment to upholding the rule of law, freedom of navigation, and democratic values in the Indo-Pacific region. The Secretary reaffirmed the positive trajectory of the U.S.-India strategic partnership."