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
All Posts
Text
Joint Statement of the United States and Japan
"We, President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, confirm and welcome final agreement on the United States-Japan Trade Agreement and the United States-Japan Digital Trade Agreement. We share the desire that these agreements will be signed at the earliest possible date and enter into force in the very near future, following the completion of our respective domestic procedures.
The United States-Japan Trade Agreement will eliminate or reduce tariffs on certain agricultural and industrial products to enhance bilateral trade in a robust, stable, and…
Text
Readout of Vice President Mike Pence’s Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso of Japan
"Vice President Mike Pence and Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso of Japan met today at the United Nations General Assembly to discuss topics of mutual interest in advance of the two leaders of their nations meeting tomorrow. The Vice President and the Deputy Prime Minister discussed global and bilateral issues, including people-to-people ties and cooperation in space, emphasizing the new heights that the US-Japan Alliance has reached under President Trump and Prime Minister Abe. The two also discussed the positive progress being made towards a…
Text
Secretary Michael R. Pompeo’s Phone Call with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi
"Secretary Michael R. Pompeo spoke with the new Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi today. Secretary Pompeo congratulated the Foreign Minister on his new position and reaffirmed the strength of the U.S.-Japan Alliance. The Secretary reiterated the shared goal of final and fully verified denuclearization of North Korea, and U.S. commitment to continue working with the Government of Japan, across a broad agenda of regional and global issues.
Secretary Pompeo emphasized the need for constructive dialogue between Japan and the Republic of Korea and for cooperating…
Text
Presidential Message to Congress Regarding the Notification of Initiation of United States–Japan Trade Agreement
"On October 16, 2018, my Administration notified the Congress that I intended to initiate trade negotiations with Japan on a United States-Japan Trade Agreement. As stated in that notification and subsequent consultations with the Congress, my Administration proposed pursuing negotiations with Japan in stages. I am pleased to report that my Administration has reached an initial trade agreement regarding tariff barriers (the “agreement”) with Japan and I intend to enter into the agreement in the coming weeks.
Accordingly, pursuant to section 103(a)(2) of the Bipartisan…
Text
Remarks by Vice President Pence at the Lord Mayor’s International Trade Dinner - South Korea, Japan, and China
"And since we took office, the President has pursued an ambitious trade agenda built on the principles of free and fair and reciprocal trade. We made a new trade deal with South Korea. We reached an agreement in principle with Japan for a free trade agreement. We’ve put China on notice. We ended the era of economic surrender by using the power of the United States economy. And this morning, we announced that negotiations on a new trade deal with China will resume in October."
…
Text
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo with Tony Katz of the Tony Katz Radio Show - China and Japan
"QUESTION: Let us now go back to just a few days. The G7 summit takes place in France. Media has said that President Trump had a ridiculous time. The stories coming out, people seemed to like him and think that he did pretty well. And one of the things that came out of this was a trade deal with Japan. You were born in California and spent your life in Kansas. I was born in Brooklyn, lived six years in Los Angeles, and now I…
Text
Department of Defense Press Briefing by Secretary Esper - China, North Korea, Japan, and South Korea
"Earlier this month, I traveled to the Indo-Pacific region on my first overseas trip. Many of you traveled with me. That region is our priority theater, so it was important to demonstrate my commitment to our allies and partners there and to hear firsthand from my foreign counterparts and heads of state.
Together, we are committed to defending our shared values and upholding core principles such as respect for all nations' sovereignty, adherence to international rules and norms, and to our mutual security.
It is…
Text
Remarks by President Trump and President Macron of France in Joint Press Conference - China and Japan
"Q Second to that, do you believe that China is sincere about what it said this morning?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Yes.
Q Or do you think that they are just trying to calm the markets and play for time? Because our sister network, the Fox Business Network, has been told by Chinese sources that they have no plans on going back to where they were in terms of the negotiations this spring on intellectual property, forced technology transfer, ownership. So —
PRESIDENT TRUMP: We’ll see, John.
…
Text
Remarks by President Trump and Chancellor Merkel of the Federal Republic of Germany Before Bilateral Meeting - China and Japan
"Q Do you still believe that the EU treats the U.S. worse than China on trade, after your discussions?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: I think the European Union — and I’ve said this openly; I say it with respect — I think they’re as tough as China. I really do. I think they’re very tough. The United States has been not treated particularly well over the years. And I’m not saying that as — it should have been the other way around, but it wasn’t. I congratulate…
Text
Remarks by President Trump and President El-Sisi of the Arab Republic of Egypt Before Bilateral Meeting - China and Japan
"PRESIDENT TRUMP: [...] And also, very big things are happening with China. You probably read the breaking news a little while ago that they want to make a deal — they just came out — and they want calm. And that’s a great thing, frankly. And one of the reasons that he’s a great leader — President Xi — and one of the reasons that China is a great country is they understand how life works. And that was just announced.
China called, last night…
Text
Remarks by President Trump and Prime Minister Abe of Japan Before Bilateral Meeting - Japan and North Korea
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much. It’s a great honor to be here. We’re having some very good discussions, maybe even great discussions. And I will say that our relationship with Prime Minister Abe and Japan has been, I think, the best it’s ever been. I don’t know, I’ll let you speak to that. But I think it’s the best it’s ever been.
Go ahead.
We’re discussing trade. We’re doing a lot of trade together; a lot of military trade, actually, which is a big…