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 and Prime Minister Morrison of Australia Before Pull-Aside Meeting
"Thank you very much, everybody. It’s an honor to be with the Prime Minister of Australia, Prime Minister Morrison. And we’ve just gotten to know each other, and so far, so good, I have to tell you. I think it’s going to be a great relationship. And we certainly anticipate having a fantastic relationship — always — with Australia.
I know you’ve done a fantastic job in a very short period of time. You’ve done a lot of the things that they’ve wanted over there…
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Vice President Pence’s Meeting with Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia
"Vice President Pence met today with Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia in Port Moresby. Vice President Pence thanked Prime Minister Morrison for Australia’s continued efforts to enforce United Nations Security Council resolutions on North Korean maritime activities. The two leaders agreed on the need to continue engaging with all members of the international community to maintain pressure until North Korea implements its commitment to denuclearize. Vice President Pence and Prime Minister Morrison reviewed key APEC outcomes and discussed the Indo-Pacific region with a particular…
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Vice President Pence's Remarks at the 2018 APEC CEO Summit
"Thank you, Scott. And thank you all for that warm welcome. Prime Minister O’Neill, Chairman Taureka, representatives from across the region, leaders of the business community, and to all our distinguished guests, it’s my honor to join you here at the “premier economic forum” in the Indo-Pacific: the 2018 APEC CEO Summit. Thank you all for being here. (Applause.)
At this forum last year, President Donald Trump laid out the United States’ vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, where, in his words, “sovereign and…
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Vice President Pence and Prime Minister Abe of Japan's Remarks in Joint Press Statements
"Thank you, Prime Minister Abe, for those kind words and for the warm hospitality that you’ve shown to Karen and me. This is our third visit to Japan since I became Vice President. And it is my great honor to be with you today to reflect the remarkable bond that exists between our two nations.
And I’m here today on behalf of a friend of yours and a great champion of the U.S.-Japan alliance, President Donald Trump. I know the President is very much looking…
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Vice President Pence's Op-Ed in The Washington Post on US-Indo-Pacific Relations
We seek an Indo-Pacific — from the United States to India, from Japan to Australia, and everywhere in between — where sovereignty is respected, where commerce flows unhindered and where independent nations are masters of their own destinies. This region, which includes more than half of Earth’s surface and population, has experienced great progress when these principles have been respected. While some nations now seek to undermine this foundation, the United States is taking decisive action to protect our interests and promote the Indo-Pacific’s shared…
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Secretary Pompeo's Meeting With Australia Foreign Minister Marise Payne
"Secretary Michael R. Pompeo met with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne today. The two praised the vibrancy of the bilateral relationship, including our joint efforts to promote a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. The ministers coordinated on our top foreign policy goals, particularly achieving a fully denuclearized North Korea. The two exchanged information on events and engagements around the just-completed UN General Assembly Leaders Week and on supporting the upcoming East Asia Summit in Singapore and the APEC Leaders Summit in Papua New Guinea. As…
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Secretary Pompeo's Call With Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne
"Secretary Michael R. Pompeo spoke with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne by phone on August 30 and congratulated her on her recent appointment. The two reaffirmed the close alignment of the United States and Australia and pledged to continue our long history of cooperation on the basis of our shared interests and values."
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President Trump’s Call with Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia
"President Donald J. Trump spoke last night with Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia and congratulated him on his recent election. The two leaders underscored the importance of the bilateral partnership between the United States and Australia. They also pledged to continue to closely cooperate on priorities the two countries share."
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Australia-Japan-United States Trilateral Strategic Dialogue Joint Ministerial Statement
"The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, Julie Bishop, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Taro Kono, and the Secretary of State for the United States, Michael R. Pompeo, met in Singapore on August 4, 2018 for the eighth ministerial meeting of the Trilateral Strategic Dialogue (TSD). The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of the trilateral strategic partnership and of deepening coordination between Australia, Japan and the United States. They underscored their commitment to working together to maintain and promote a free, open, prosperous and…
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Joint Statement To Strengthen Water Data Management and Information Sharing in The Lower Mekong
"Do hereby endeavor to:
Strengthen the individual capacity of the Lower Mekong Countries to collect, analyze and manage water (quality and quantity; surface and ground), land, and weather data and information products for the purposes of reducing water-related risks, improving regional responses to environmental emergencies, and promoting sustainable economic development across the water, food, energy, and environment nexus."
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Secretary Pompeo's Interview With Zoe Daniel of Australian Broadcast Corporation - Indo-Pacific
"We had long conversations about a free and open Indo-Pacific. Foreign Minister Bishop, Defense Minister Payne, Secretary Mattis, and myself all understand that that is an incredibly important thing not only for countries in the region, the Pacific Island countries, Southeast Asia, Australia itself, but for the United States as well. And we have developed – you’ll see – we’ll put together a document that we will share with the world that talks about the concrete actions we’re going to take to ensure that the…